GO NORTH WEST 2104 ON PORTLAND STREET
Manchester, located in North West England, is a major metropolitan city known for its rich industrial heritage and vibrant cultural scene. As one of the UK's largest urban areas, it serves as a central hub for transport, commerce, and education.
🚌 Bus Services and Operators:
Manchester boasts an extensive bus network, with services operated by several companies:
Stagecoach Manchester: One of the largest operators, providing local bus services across Greater Manchester under contract to the Bee Network.
Go North West: A subsidiary of the Go-Ahead Group, operating franchised Bee Network bus services on contract to TfGM, primarily to destinations like Salford, Bury, Bolton, and Wigan.
Metroline Manchester: A subsidiary of ComfortDelGro that commenced operations in 2025, operating franchised Bee Network services.
🕰️ Historical Overview:
Manchester holds a significant place in the history of public transport:
1824: John Greenwood initiated the UK's first regular horse bus service from Pendleton, Salford to Market Street, Manchester.
1901-1969:: The Manchester Corporation Transport era saw the expansion of tram and bus services, including the opening of the first purpose-built bus garage at Parrs Wood in 1926.
1968: Introduction of the "Mancunian" double-decker buses, marking a modernisation phase in the city's bus fleet.
2023: Launch of the Bee Network, a franchised bus system aiming to integrate services across Greater Manchester.
📷 Bus Spotting Popularity:
Manchester is a haven for bus enthusiasts, offering a diverse range of vehicles and liveries to observe. The introduction of the Bee Network has brought new, distinctively branded buses to the streets, adding to the visual appeal for spotters.
📝 Summary:
In summary, Manchester's extensive and evolving bus network, rich history, and variety of operators make it a prime location for bus spotting enthusiasts.
The Blackburn Bus Company 1870 (FJ58LTX), a Volvo B7RLE with Wright Eclipse bodywork, in the striking 'Red Express' livery, operating the X41 service to Accrington
The Burnley Bus Company 2752 (PJ05ZVY), a Volvo B7TL with Wright Eclipse Gemini bodywork, in the distinctive grey 'Witchway' livery, captured on Princess Street in Manchester
Go North West 49101 (YJ60KCU) – an Optare Versa in distinctive yellow livery for free buses around Manchester City Centre, on Chorlton Street operating a route 2 service to Piccadilly Station
The Burnley Bus Company 2014 (SK70BWL), an ADL Enviro 400 MMC, turning onto Bloom Street in Manchester, operating the X43 service to Burnley
Go North West 3042 (BT66MRU), a Volvo B5LH / Wright Gemini 3, in the distinctive Bee Network livery, operating a V2 service to Manchester Royal Infirmary along Oxford Road in Manchester
Stagecoach Manchester 12234 (SL63 FZR), an ADL Enviro 400 in the iconic Magic Bus livery, captured on Oxford Road in Manchester while operating the 143 service to West Didsbury
Stagecoach Manchester 84023 (LF69 UYP), a BYD D8UR-DD / ADL Enviro400EV, captured wearing the short-lived "Be Greener" livery, on Whitworth Street operating a 43 service to Manchester Airport
First Greater Manchester 32959 (X959HLT), a Dennis Trident with Plaxton President bodywork, at Piccadilly Gardens Bus Station, on a 41 service to West Didsbury
First Greater Manchester 33712 (SN12AJO), an ADL Enviro 400, at Piccadilly Gardens Bus Station on a 37 service to Bolton
Go North West 3065 (BV66VHC), a Volvo B5LH / MCV EvoSeti, in action on Piccadilly in Manchester operating the 33 service to Worsley
Go North West 3102 (SN14TTK), an ADL Enviro 400 in the striking pink and blue 'Cross City' livery, as it loads passengers on Piccadilly in Manchester for a 41 service to North Manchester General Hospital
Little Gem 1970 (T3WES), an ADL Enviro 200 in bright orange livery, operating a 217 service to Ashton along Lever Street in Manchester
Diamond Bus North West 31434 (YX62 DHY), a white ADL Enviro 200, captured departing Piccadilly Gardens Bus Station in Manchester while operating the X50 service to Trafford Centre
Diamond Bus North West 40835 (MX21 ATV), a Wright StreetDeck, branded for the 36 & 37 routes, on layover at Piccadilly Gardens Bus Station in Manchester
Stagecoach Manchester 17699 (MW52 UJF), a Dennis Trident / East Lancs Lolyne, at Piccadilly Gardens Bus Station in Manchester, on a 104 to Wythenshawe
Stagecoach Manchester 19241 (MX08 GLY), an Alexander Dennis Trident 2 with Enviro 400 bodywork, in the striking Magic Bus livery, in Piccadilly Gardens Bus Station in Manchester, operating a 143 service to West Didsbury
Stagecoach Manchester 84228 (LF24 ZBE), a BYD D8UR-DD / ADL Enviro400EV captured in the vibrant Bee Network yellow livery, on Piccadilly, operating an 84 to Grotton
Stagecoach Manchester 84238 (LF24 ZBV), a BYD D8UR-DD / ADL Enviro400EV in the eye-catching Bee Network yellow livery, captured turning onto Piccadilly in Manchester on a 59 service
Swans Travel YX67VGY, an ADL Enviro 400 MMC, seen in action on Piccadilly in Manchester
First Greater Manchester 49921, registration YJ14 BJX, an Optare Versa in the distinctive grey Metroshuttle livery, at Manchester Piccadilly Station, about to operate a Metroshuttle 1 service
Go North West 49111 (YJ60KDV) – an Optare Versa in striking yellow livery, outside Piccadilly Station on Station Approach, operating a route 2 circular service in Manchester
Transpora North West 1301 (BX56XBY), a Volvo B7RLE with Wright Eclipse bodywork, parked on layover on Travis Street in Manchester, in between trips on a Metrolink replacement service
Bruce Coaches of Salsburgh's BW67EVR, a Scania Caetano Levante 2, captured on Portland Street in Manchester, operating a 182 service to Edinburgh
First Greater Manchester 40328 (ML02OFX), an Optare Solo, arriving into Manchester along Portland Street on a 33 service
Transpora North West 2603 (LJ09CAE), an ADL Trident 2 with ADL Enviro 400 bodywork, captured on Portland Street in Manchester, operating a Metrolink replacement service
Transpora North West 2703 (V168MEV), an open-top Dennis Trident with Alexander ALX400 bodywork, in 'Sightseeing Manchester' livery, operating a T1 Sightseeing service on New York Street in Manchester
Go North West 2038 (LG73FXK), a BYD D8UR-DD / ADL Enviro 400 City, displaying the striking Bee Network livery, in Shudehill Interchange, preparing to depart on a 10 service to Brookhouse
Go North West 6168 (BN64CNU), a Volvo B7RLE / Wright Eclipse 2 in their distinctive blue and grey livery. The bus is seen making a turn onto Shudehill in Manchester, operating the 163 service to Bury
Prospect Coaches PR73 KNG, a Scania Higer Touring coach, captured on Shudehill, Manchester while operating a FlixBus 071 service to Bristol
Stagecoach Manchester 16833 (MX58 DYA), a Volvo B9TL / Wright Eclipse Gemini still carrying the livery of its former operator, Go North West, captured in Shudehill Interchange, operating a 99 service to Prestwich
Stagecoach Manchester 27932 (SN13 CJX), an ADL Enviro 300 still wearing the livery of its previous operator, First, as it turns onto Shudehill in Manchester while not in service
Stagecoach Manchester 84211 (LF24 YZK), a BYD D8UR-DD / ADL Enviro400EV electric double-decker bus in the striking Bee Network yellow livery, departing Shudehill Interchange in Manchester on a route 17 service to Rochdale
The Burnley Bus Company 2011 (SK70BWG), an ADL Enviro 400 MMC in the iconic orange and black 'Witchway' livery, operating the X43 service to Burnley, captured on Shudehill
Arriva North West 2686 (CX58 EVH), a VDL Wright Pulsar in the eye-catching Arriva Sapphire livery, passing Victoria Station along Todd Street in Manchester while operating a 10 service to Brookhouse
Go North West 3006 (BN61MWL), a Volvo B5LH / Wright Gemini 2, operating a 100 service on Todd Street in Manchester, turning onto Corporation Street
Tyrers Coaches BN61MXL, a Volvo B9TL / Wright Eclipse Gemini 2, captured turning onto Hunts Bank in Manchester while operating a rail replacement service
Tyrers Coaches LX11CWN, a Volvo B9TL / Wright Eclipse Gemini 2, captured outside Victoria Station in Manchester, loading passengers for a rail replacement service
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