Readers may wish to enlarge some of the maps in this blog as they do not fit adequately within the framework prescribed by "Blogger". A simple mouse click will do the trick.
GoAhead will inherit three routes running west from central Manchester.
The 67 and 100 (PINK) both run via Pendleton Salford Shopping Centre (as visited by the 95 yesterday) ...
... whence they both wiggle along to Eccles.
First's map does not admit to the existence of Manchester's Metrolink tram system, but the 67 and 100 stop outbound on Regent Street ...
... and inbound (wrong side of the road) at a more substantial set of shelters; ...
... the whole lot, plus tram, being loosely called "Eccles Interchange". The 100 calls into the intu Trafford Centre whilst the 67 ignores that delightful retail experience.
67s terminsate at Cadishead and some 100s run on all the way to Warrington.
Monday to Friday frequencies are as follows.
67 - every 15 minutes
100 - every 15 to Trafford Centre plus extensions.
Also running along the Eccles New Road beside the Metrolink ...
... is First's 33 (MID BLUE) running every 30 minutes via Eccles to Worsley. It terminates at the attractive Worsley Court House.
Worsley Court House is a conference and weddings venue in Worsley, Greater Manchester, England. Built in 1849 for Francis Egerton, 1st Earl of Ellesmere as the local manor court, it was later used as a magistrates' court. In 1966 it was granted Grade II listed status.
Whilst on the original map (at the top of this blog), take note of route 52 (PURPLE) which finds its way from the Trafford Centre to North Manchester General Hospital and then trundles south east (ish) to Failsworth.
The timetable explains better than trying to glue together bits of First's maps.
Also equally circuitous is the 53 (KHAKI). This originates from our old friend the Salford shopping centre at Pendleton and runs via Salford Quays (home of "The Lowry").
This whole area used to be the docks at the Salford end of the Manchester Ship Canal, from where a VERY youthful fbb took a boat ...
... trip along the canal as far as the Barton swing aqueduct.
Yes, a bit of the canal c/w water swings, more correctly used to swing, to allow big ships to pass through.
The 53 then links (indirectly) the Royal Infirmary and the North Manchester hospitals ...
... every 30 minutes.
That leaves the former Metroshuttle.
The three free routes ...
... have since been rejigged. There are now just two routes (definitely click to enlarge) ...
... rebranded as "free bus" in a fetching yellow livery.
As the service is a Transport for Greater Manchester contract, we should not expect any changes, except perhaps a modest "brought to you by GoAhead" sticker.
Next weekend collection : Saturday 2nd March
I think you'll find the yellow squares on First's map are the tram stops.... (and in any case, TfGM produce competent if not pretty all services maps)
ReplyDeleteThe Metroshuttle contract has just been heavily rejigged by TfGM following Second City Crossing (2CC) works, so it should just be novated to Go-Ahead.
Belated happy 3000th blog: we may not always (i.e. rarely!) see eye-to-eye, but a good feat!
FBB will be pleased to learn that TfGM's maps are only available on-line, print editions having been discontinued a few years back.
ReplyDeleteI will treasure my set of TfGM maps, some dated 2012 and some 2015!
ReplyDelete