Manchester Minibuses set for take-off
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• Manchester Minibuses, a subsidiary of United Transport International, plans to start its minibus services in Altrincham and Stockport on January 26 — the day after the freeze ends on post-deregulation service changes. With a fleet of 225 minibuses, operating hail-andride over many sections of route, it should offer strong Competition to Greater Manchester Buses' services.
Manchester Minibuses originally ordered 125 18-seat Carlyle Sherpas and 50 Northern Counties Dodge S46 minibuses; it has now added a further 50 Carlyle Sherpas.
They will be garaged at newly-acquired premises at Altrincham and Stockport.
Confusion
Managing director Bob Montgomery, who moved to Manchester Minibuses from Red Bus North Devon, says there has been confusion among bus passengers following deregulation service changes. "Our service will be the first benefit of deregulation they will see. We have invested .£5 million in a business which will only succeed if people choose to use our service. We think they will," he says.
Meanwhile Greater Manchester's Passenger Transport Authority has given its executive the go-ahead to improve services. More than 5,000 passengers responded to a request for their views, and GMPTA chairman Councillor Guy Harkin says it has been clear that the network from October 26 provided only a basic service.
Already 70 early morning and schools services have been restored under emergency powers. "After January we plan to do much more and honour our commitment to rebuild bus services," he says.
All operators, including Greater Manchester Buses, have been watching closely the results of the new network and from January 26 they will be able to withdraw services at 42 days notice.