Bolton Buses 1

The first of a 2 parter covering Bolton such was the variety on display. The bus station, although it only dates from the 1980’s is a bit old fashioned but it serves its purpose.

The major operator is ‘First Manchester’ (FM) which has a history dating back to the days of Manchester and Bolton Corporation Transport departments. This leads me nicely into the first image which is that of.

 

MX06 VOP

 

A Wright bodied Volvo B7RLE which although owned by 'FM' carries the Bolton livery of 50 years ago and doesn’t it look good.

 

MX58 DYS

 

A Volvo B9TL with Wright Eclipse Gemini bodywork working for ‘First Manchester’.

 

I think that this is the first (no pun intended) time I have seen the ‘Alexander Dennis Ltd’ (ADL) Enviro 400 body in a ‘First’ group fleet and although I do not care for the livery, it suits the E400 better than it does some others.

 

SN12 AGX

However, parked alongside was this ‘tired’ looking bus which although it was clean did rather spoil the effect of the shiny new buses around it.

 

T905 KLF

 

A Volvo Olympian with Northern Counties Palatine bodywork which spent much of its working life with ‘First’ in South Yorkshire.

 

I can just imagine the look of glee on the Fleet Engineers face as he despatched it over the Pennines....!

 

I think another first for me is an Enviro 300 in a ‘First’ fleet.

 

SN13 CJV

‘First Manchester’s fleet list gives the details as being. ‘Alexander Dennis Trident E30D’ with Alexander Dennis Enviro 300 bodywork. 

 

I do not know wether the Trident bit is correct. Should anyone out there be able to confirm or deny that, I would be obliged.

 

BD11 CEN

A Volvo B7RLE with Wright Eclipse Urban 2 bodywork again with ‘First Manchester’.

 

Y36 KNB

A DAF SB220GS with Ikarus Polaris bodywork is an unusual beast working for ‘Arriva North West’.

 

 

 

MF52 LYY

 

A MAN 14.220 with ELC Myllenium bodywork.

 

At one time operated in ‘Blue Bus’ livery with ‘Arriva’ titles. ‘Blue Bus Bolton’ having been acquired by ‘Arriva’ in 2005.

 

CX58 EUP

A VDL SB200CS with Wright Pulsar bodywork.

 

I was starting to suffer from ‘Stagecoach’ starvation not having seen any of ‘Sir Brian’s fleet for quite a long time. However although there were not many, there were some.

 

PX59 CTF

A Scania N94UD with Alexander Dennis Ltd (ADL) Enviro 400 bodywork working for ‘Stagecoach Merseyside  & South Lancashire’ based in Chorley. 

 

The branding carried is for the ‘Urban Connect’ route 125 from Preston to Bolton.

 

YJ61 JGO

A Optare Versa Diesel Electric Hybrid.

 

Working for ‘Stagecoach in Manchester’ (SiM) as its No. 25347 but intriguingly used to work in the same livery for ‘First Manchester’ as its No. 49123.

 

It would seem that the bus is owned by the ‘Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority’ and for whatever reason they have moved it around the local operators.

 

 

MX62 LTN

A Dennis Enviro 300 with Alexander Enviro 300 bodywork (The wording is EXACTLY what ‘Stagecoach’s fleet list says) working for ‘SiM’ out of Wigan depot.