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For the original London operation, see Metroline.
Metroline Manchester
Red and grey italic text reading 'Metroline Manchester'.
ParentComfortDelGro
FoundedApril 12, 2024; 7 months ago (2024-04-12)
Commenced operation5 January 2025
HeadquartersHyde Road, Manchester
LocaleGreater Manchester
Service typeBee Network bus services
Routes232
Depots4
Fleet420[1]
Fuel typeDiesel and electric
Chief executivePatrick Sibley
Websitewww.metroline.co.uk/manchester/

Metroline Manchester is a bus operator in Greater Manchester, England. It is a subsidiary of ComfortDelGro, and is set to begin operating franchised Bee Network bus services on contract to Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) from 5 January 2025.

History

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Metroline was founded in April 1989 as a business unit of London Regional Transport ahead of the privatisation of London bus services, being sold in October 1994 in a management buyout worth £20 million (equivalent to £50,246,000 in 2023).[2] The operator was later sold to Singapore-based multi-national transport group ComfortDelGro for £73.8 million (equivalent to £156,899,000 in 2023) in February 2000.[3]

Metroline took early interest in Transport for Greater Manchester's franchised Bee Network bus services, recruiting former Arriva Yorkshire regional manager Patrick Sibley in September 2022 to help in its bidding for Tranches 2 and 3 of franchises. With no pre-existing presence in Greater Manchester, the operator aimed to secure large franchise contracts from TfGM so it would inherit depot facilities from existing operators; winning smaller contracts would have resulted in Metroline having to establish new depot facilities within the region.[4]

Initially, Metroline was unsuccessful in bidding for Tranches 1 and 2 of Bee Network contracts, which went to existing operators in the area. In March 2024, however, it was announced that Metroline had won four of five Tranche 3 contracts, taking on bus services in the south side of the City of Manchester operated from Ashton, Hyde Road, Sharston and Wythenshawe depots for a five year period, with options to extend the contract for a further two years. Metroline Manchester is scheduled to commence operations on Bee Network services from 5 January 2025, with Patrick Sibley taking on the position of Managing Director for the new operator.[5][6]

Depots

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From 5 January 2025, Metroline Manchester will operate buses from four depots across Greater Manchester, with a total of 1,350 driving staff required. A majority of staff from existing operators are able to transfer employment to Metroline Manchester through a TUPE transfer.[1]

Ashton

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Ashton bus depot will be inherited from Stagecoach Manchester to operate services in Tameside. Located in an industrial estate off Clarence Street, the depot was established by Stagecoach in 2008 to replace a former Mayne Coaches bus depot located on Ashton New Road.[7]

Hyde Road

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Hyde Road bus depot when operated by Stagecoach Manchester in May 2010

Hyde Road bus depot will be the head office and largest depot of Metroline Manchester following the commencement of operations, having been inherited from Stagecoach Manchester.[4] The depot was originally opened by Manchester Corporation Tramways in 1902, being considerably redeveloped during the 1920s ahead of the running of trolleybuses and motorbuses from the late 1930s respectively. Hyde Road was redeveloped again during the 1960s, with parts of the old tram sheds demolished and a new entrance and frontage being constructed along Hyde Road itself.[8]

Sharston

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Sharston bus depot will be inherited from Stagecoach Manchester, with a fleet of 32 BYD Alexander Dennis Enviro400EVs coming with this depot.[4] This depot is located within the Sharston Industrial Estate, capable of holding over 200 buses and equipped with rainwater recycling systems and motion-activated lighting to minimise environmental impact, and was opened by Stagecoach in 2010 to replace the former GM Buses Princess Road depot in Moss Side.[9]

Wythenshawe

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Not to be confused with Wythenshawe Bus Garage.

Wythenshawe depot was the only depot that Metroline Manchester inherited from Arriva North West, with no vehicles expected to come with this transfer. Located on the Southmoor Industrial Estate, it is planned for Metroline to operate this depot using solely diesel-powered vehicles. Prior to the commencement of franchised services, Metroline used this depot to operate a fleet of Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 bodied Volvo B9TLs on driver training duties.[1]

Fleet

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As of October 2024, Metroline Manchester are set to operate a fleet of 420 buses upon the commencement of operations on 5 January 2025.[1] The company's operating license was provisionally approved to allow a fleet of over 500 buses to be potentially operated by the company.[4]

Metroline Manchester is set to use a mixture of diesel and battery electric buses, with new deliveries primarily including 110 MCV bodied Volvo BZLs,[10] Wright StreetDeck Ultroliners and Alexander Dennis Enviro200 MMCs. Up to 125 buses, including 32 BYD Alexander Dennis Enviro400EVs based at Sharston, are also planned to be inherited from Stagecoach Manchester via the TfGM fleet Residual Value Mechanism.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Deakin, Tim (21 October 2024). "Metroline readies itself for debut in Greater Manchester bus market". routeone. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
  2. ^ "Metroline sold to MEBO for £20m". Bus & Coach Buyer. No. 277. Spalding. 14 October 1994. p. 5. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
  3. ^ "Metroline sells to foreign buyer". Buses. No. 541. Hersham: Ian Allan Publishing. April 2000. p. 6. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d Day, James (7 September 2024). "Movement at Metroline". Buses. No. 835. Stamford: Key Publishing. pp. 28–32. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
  5. ^ "Major win for Metroline in Manchester franchising awards". Coach & Bus Week. Peterborough. 2 April 2024. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
  6. ^ Deakin, Tim (28 March 2024). "Metroline dominates Greater Manchester franchising third tranche". routeone. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
  7. ^ Vallantine, Stuart (3 July 2019). "Beating Heart of Ashton Depot Retires After 49 Years Continuous Service". East of the M60. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
  8. ^ Prior, Gareth (18 August 2020). "Still Standing! Hyde Road Depot & Works, Manchester". British Trams Online. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
  9. ^ "Bus firm Stagecoach travels to new stop as century-old depot shuts". Manchester Evening News. 19 August 2010. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
  10. ^ Deakin, Tim (23 September 2024). "Stockport 170 Volvo BZL electrics reallocated amid depot difficulty". routeone. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
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