Manchester Community Transport In 2013...

 

Manchester Community Transport 

     Manchester Community Transport (MCT) are in the process of completing their purchase of Tyrer's Rochdale division. As of the 7th of March 2013 all services will be ran by MCT, presumably with MCT decals but we shall see if this is instantaneous. Tyrer's currently run 1 daytime route in Rochdale and another at night, these include;
6        -        Kirkholt Circular (Mon-Sat evening only)
433    -        Rochdale - Castleton (Sundays & Public holidays only)
434    -        Rochdale - Castleton (Mon-Fri only)
444    -        Rochdale - Norden (Sundays & Public holidays only)
447    -        Rochdale - Wallbank (Sundays & Public holidays only)
451    -        Rochdale - Peppermint Bridge (Newhey) (Sundays & Public holidays only)
458    -        Rochdale - Wardle (Sundays & Public holidays only)

     As you can see the majority of these services do not run mon-sat, due to this there are roumers that MCT are applying for more tenders to fill up their time, as they need more drivers on sundays/public holidays than during the week. This would be interesting to see what other routes MCT will be taking over on the Rochdale side of town.
     MCT are currently pushing for tenders down in Stockport, they have been awarded the 22 during the evening, and the 197 route, both of which have been taken off Stagecoach. MCT have recently been awarded a LocalLink contract up in Rochdale which ties in with their takeover of Tyrer's, this service acts as a shuttle service to and from Kingsway Business Park as well as personal transport at night (kinda like a taxi), all of this is tendered by TFGM and Kingsway Business Park.
     It does seem like this company is really expanding this year, with a takeover of Bolton's MayTree on the cards too, this previously small community transport company, may well become a huge player in the Manchester public transport market.



Update

   After looking through some VOSA registrations it appears there are even more services they are taking over the full list is here;
_____________________________________________________________________
Serivice Number | Destination                               | Company Previously Operating
_____________________________________________________________________
307                      | Stockport - Bramhall Circular  | Stagecoach
18                        | Altringham - Trafford Center   | Arriva
159                      | Middleton - Oldham                 | Bluebird
44                        | Manchester - Airport                | Bluebird
197                      | Manchester - Stockport            | Stagecoach
395                      | Ashton - Newton Heath           | Bluebird
84                        | Manchester - Reddish              | Arriva
169                      | Ashton - Southern Cemetery   | JPT
378                      | Stockport - Grove Lane           | Stagecoach
_____________________________________________________________________

So as you can see if you include the above services up in Rochdale, this operation is going to be very big indeed. Great for the company, great for the city, as MCT have a good reputation. And considering they're a community transport company, they are not out for the money, as all profit is re-invested.