By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.
Accept
routeonerouteonerouteone
  • News
    • Show all
    • Awards & Events
    • Deliveries
    • Environment
    • Exhibitor News
    • Euro Bus Expo 2024
    • Features
    • Legal
    • Minibus and minicoach
    • Operators
    • Opinion
    • People
    • Suppliers
    • Vehicles
  • Vehicles
    • Find a Vehicle
    • ZEV Comparison Tool
    • Sell a Vehicle
    • Vehicle Seller Dashboard
  • Insights
  • Careers
  • Events
    • British Tourism & Travel Show
    • Euro Bus Expo
    • Innovation Challenge
    • Livery Competition
    • routeone Awards
  • Advertise
  • Contact
    • Share your news
    • Subscribe
    • Update Subscription Details
  • Latest Issue
  • SIGN UP
Reading: Manchester franchising tranche two rollout prep ‘proceeding to plan’
Share
Font ResizerAa
routeonerouteone
Font ResizerAa
  • News
    • Show all
    • Awards & Events
    • Deliveries
    • Environment
    • Exhibitor News
    • Euro Bus Expo 2024
    • Features
    • Legal
    • Minibus and minicoach
    • Operators
    • Opinion
    • People
    • Suppliers
    • Vehicles
  • Vehicles
    • Find a Vehicle
    • ZEV Comparison Tool
    • Sell a Vehicle
    • Vehicle Seller Dashboard
  • Insights
  • Careers
  • Events
    • British Tourism & Travel Show
    • Euro Bus Expo
    • Innovation Challenge
    • Livery Competition
    • routeone Awards
  • Advertise
  • Contact
    • Share your news
    • Subscribe
    • Update Subscription Details
  • Latest Issue
  • SIGN UP
Follow US
© 2024 routeone News | Powered by Diversified Business Communications UK Ltd
- Advertisement -
-
routeone > News > Manchester franchising tranche two rollout prep ‘proceeding to plan’
News

Manchester franchising tranche two rollout prep ‘proceeding to plan’

routeone Team
routeone Team
Published: February 26, 2024
Share
Greater Manchester bus franchising tranche two preparation
SHARE

Mobilisation work ahead of the rollout of the second tranche of bus franchising in Greater Manchester on 24 March is proceeding to plan, although delays in delivery of new buses have led to a requirement for “interim vehicles” to be sourced.

Details are within a report published by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) on 23 February. It outlines the status of second tranche contracts and notes that rollout preparation is benefiting from “several lessons learned” during commencement of the first tranche in September 2023.

Those are not laid down in the document, but neither Stagecoach – which will operate all three large franchise contracts awarded in the second tranche, at Middleton, Oldham, and Queens Road to the north of Manchester city centre – nor small franchise winners First Manchester and Rotala expect to use agency drivers from the start.

However, Stagecoach will second 80 drivers, engineers and supervisors from elsewhere in the group. That is to mitigate the loss of any staff that do not transfer from other operators. First and Rotala have confirmed to the Combined Authority that they have sufficient drivers and engineers to deliver services without secondment.

In addition, Stagecoach has already seconded 60 drivers from First Manchester and Go North West – which currently operate two of the depots that will fall under the large franchises – “to ensure that drivers can be released for training ahead of operational commencement date,” says GMCA.

The report notes that driver training efforts for the second tranche have been informed by the earlier round, while work on buses to install new ticket machines has commenced much sooner.

Greater Manchester bus franchising second tranche rollout preparation progressing
Oldham depot – currently the home of First Manchester – will move to Stagecoach Manchester under tranche two

Expected deliveries of new vehicles have fallen behind because of multiple reasons. Cited by GMCA is industrial action at Alexander Dennis, which has delayed the arrival of all 50 BYD Alexander Dennis Enviro400EV battery-electric double-deckers that are for use by Stagecoach at Oldham.

Completion of that batch been expected by 26 January, but GMCA now believes that “between 26 and 32” will have arrived by the second tranche mobilisation date. Because of that, it has sourced 30 used Euro VI buses that “will cover any shortfall in the zero-emission buses to ensure we have enough vehicles of Bee Network standard on Day One.”

Small franchises have also been affected by delays, but all existing new vehicle orders for tranche two will complete delivery by June, GMCA says. It claims that 60% of buses will as a minimum carry Bee Network livery at franchise mobilisation.

First Bus is using a newly installed paint booth at its Potteries subsidiary to apply that yellow identity, while at least one bus has been to the workshops at its Ensignbus business in Essex for repaint and refurbishment. Stagecoach has used facilities including its Rock Ferry depot on Wirral to repaint buses for the second tranche.

Work at Oldham to install charging infrastructure is on schedule, with commissioning to take place a week before franchise mobilisation. GMCA has completed the purchase of Oldham and Queens Road depots, while Middleton is now its responsibility via lease.

Rollout of the second tranche of bus franchising in Greater Manchester will capture 30% of the conurbation’s network. Tranche one represented 20%, and the third round will complete reregulation in the city region.

Separately, on 22 February GMCA authorised the draw-down of ÂŁ20.8 million of City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement funding to enable the purchase of a further 94 zero-emission buses. Those will be operated by franchise contract holders in the first and second tranches.

Share This Article
Facebook LinkedIn Threads Email Copy Link
Previous Article Ardent ClearConnect inductive hearing loop for Accessible Information Regulations Ardent ClearConnect hearing loop meets Accessible Info Regs
Next Article Local Transport Fund to bring ÂŁ4.7 billion to north and Midlands Local Transport Fund will bring ÂŁ4.7 billion to North and Midlands
- Advertisement -

Latest News

Tootbus to launch Tootie AI powered product
Tootbus to launch AI-powered Tootie conversational city guide
News
MD Coaches takes delivery of an Ilesbus I-City minibus
MD Coaches takes delivery of an Ilesbus I-City minibus
Deliveries
Pulhams and Swindon's Bus Company win Cirencester College contract
Pulhams and Swindon’s Bus Co gain 24-route college contract
News
Bakers Dolphin and Harry Bessant recognised at Weston College Business Awards
Bakers Dolphin and student Harry Bessant recognised by college
People
- Advertisement -
-

routeone magazine is the indispensable resource for professional UK coach, bus and minibus operators. The home of vehicle sales and the latest bus and coach job vacancies, routeone connects professional PCV operators with complete and unrivalled news coverage.

  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • GDPR Policy
  • Sustainability
  • Advertise
  • Latest Issue
  • Share Your News
routeonerouteone
Follow US
© 2024 routeone News | Powered by Diversified Business Communications UK Ltd