Photo-a-Day  (Friday, 3rd November, 2023)

There never seems to be many people on these buses. I’m sure in time there will be less of them per hour.

Why is the driver sat several feet in front of the front wheels ?

Very sceptical of Burnham's bus scheme following his attempts to tax the working people with his clean air zone. Especially the blatant lies with it, yes the government told him to implement one but was his decision to take money from the working man and make it chargeable.

Alan, If the driver was located where the front wheels are, he would,nt
be able to see where he was going clearly.

Just a horrible colour and they look very scruffy looking what a site!

When first introduced all the drivers seemed to be new and often did not know the routes and they were either very often late or two or three would turn up at the same time.
Things appear to have settled down and I find them quite comfortable, fitted with mobile phone chargers and with more space for wheel chairs, prams and people less able although I think there is less seating on those with one seat on one side.
Strange though on a recent journey to Chorley from Standish in that the Bus was advertising tours of The Aisle of Purbeck and on the TV screen different buses to Bournemouth Hospital.
Surely this driver was well and truly lost!!!!

Veronica, I use public transport a lot and I can assure you the buses are a lot busier than before covid? Also the inter city trains are mad busy at present.

It must be when they get up here then Dave..there’s nothing to come for at Bolton. I usually go on the train to Wigan. I do see the number 7 coming past and it’s always empty. Bolton is worse than Wigan town Centre.

As I am typing I am looking at my two miniature Wigan Corporation buses on my fireplace, and wishing we still had those memorable maroon-and-white Wigan buses. I like red or dark green colours for public transport and am not keen on the new yellow "bee" buses, but I like them better than the "fried egg" orange of the buses we had in the 1980s.

What a lovely bright colour these buses are, makes them easier to see at night.
The model in the photo was designed for Bombay train and bus company, you can tell because it's got passenger roof top climbing bars at the front

Veronica, do you ever see something new and think 'oh that's a change for the better, let's celebrate it..'?

If we believe what they are telling us then soon these buses will be driving themselves and folk with no jobs to go to will be walking about the streets looking for something to do! Everything will be done by AI. Andy Burnham said on the box a few months ago he would like to see the North turned into the industrial powerhouse it once was . I just wonder where and how human beings will fit into this , will we work for AI?

Thanks Gareth, these buses are by far a great improvement on what went before, comfy seats, more room, additional safety rails etc. I do concede though that Custard is an acquired taste but I quite like it.

Yes Dave and no one will need a job unless they specifically want one.. The artificial buses will be driving with artificial passengers!
I don’t think that will work out do you? Perhaps real people will just catch buses to go to artificial jobs. Perhaps it will be artificial money to go with the artificial job. Will we have artificial food to eat! The mind goes in over drive …
How do we know things will work out Gareth just because the buses are yellow instead of the last ones we had…? Personally I would rather go on an artificial train.

I'll take 'completely missing the point for 200 please'.......

Forget the workers, what about The Pensioners, we travel for free.
The buses are full of us after 9:30 travelling all around Lancashire saving a fortune on gas and electricity!!!!! Chorley, Warrington, Bolton, Leigh and Preston, Ormskirk, Southport its amazing. Haven't tried St Helens yet, as a Wiganer I have something of an aversion!
As for AI, will it be any better, think of all the gadgets we have now that we cannot find the instructions for, I can operate the washing machine but the super duper electric cooker and hob have me defeated.
Maybe I can get a AI robot in a few years time to do these tasks whilst I am out travelling on the bus for free?

Don’t tell me you went to Southport on the bus Colin…I only tried it
once , I was bent double when I got off after 2 1/2 hours . Worst bus ride ever! We got off in Lord St.. had a cup of tea and went back on the train. The bus to Blackburn isn’t too bad until you get near the city. It’s only £3 on the train then you can catch a bus to Clitheroe or anywhere around there.

Roll a ticket , the one I knew ,
simple , ordinary, but from when grew ,
Take from that , I feel a glow ,
deep inside , I hold and know ..

Like Colin Traynor , I also noticed that during the first week or so following the introduction of the yellow buses , the drivers were often accompanied by what I can only assume to be , … for want of a better title … route instructors .

The drivers also appear to have been tutored in the delicate art of being pleasant, helpful and sympathetic towards the travelling public .

The difference being immediately apparent .

How long will it take I wonder , before these drivers become disillusioned with the job and morph into miserable , unsmiling , less than helpful irritable gits , a notable number of which were ,
( probably still are ) employed by both Arriva and Stagecoach .

If you would know the master , then observe the servant . ( or words to that effect ) … I don’t know who coined that sentiment , but during my working life , I’ve found it to be consistently true.

I suppose it may be a case of the exception proving the rule , as only a relatively small percentage of employees of the aforesaid outfits fall into this category , but although they may be a minority, they’re a notable minority .

I personally wouldn’t allow myself to be coerced into taking on the job of ferrying the general public around scheduled routes … stopping at every other gas lamp etc. etc … , not in exchange for the Aga Khan’s wealth I wouldn’t … , but then again ,that’s the reason why I never did it.

If you ain’t content with your job , then bail out and give somebody else a chance … , that’s always been my mantra ,

But it’s early days , so I guess we’ll just have to wait and see what transpires in the coming months eh?

Oh ! , and as Veronica says , if you ever have an overwhelming desire to experience the true meaning of tedium , then take the bus from Wigan to Southport … or alternatively ,Warrington to Chester , or the “ see Runcorn New Town and die “ route as I call it … or preferably , die before bothering to scan your pass .

But a word to the wise …

Whichever route you choose , you’d be well advised to slip a couple of cyanide capsules into your top pocket just in case the protracted tour of either of the new towns proves a little too much to bear .

Don’t come back complaining that you weren’t warned !

Well there’s a few points you ‘missed’ Gareth..
Perfectly explained. But you just like to ‘test’ others without putting your own view across don’t you...…

Veronica, the trip on the bus from Wigan to Southport was purely accidental. We were meant to be going to Ormskirk Thursday Market but not realising that there was no longer a bus station there we sailed straight through so carried on to Southport and like yourself got the train back. the journey was long and agonising, a much better and more pleasurable route is via Chorley but we always get the train back.
Thanks for the tip about Blackburn, haven't been for many years will in the near future.

If you are going to Blackburn Colin it’s better to catch the train at Bolton It’s only 25 mins. Don’t do what me and a friend once did catching it from Daisy Hill from Wigan. It went to Manchester first then all round the globe. You could get the train from Wigan to Bolton though. Then cross the platform for Blackburn. There’s some lovely places to visit from Blackburn and there’s a huge bus station.
Also I have been to Ormskirk on the bus that’s not too bad it’s half the journey to Southport but all those roundabouts play havoc with your neck and head. Good Luck. By the way if you do the journey to Blackburn you can get to Whalley and there was a lovely Garden Centre a couple of stops on … if it’s still there.

Well done Andy Burnham, some initiative taking essential service out of money mad private companies, hope it succeeds and hope more essential utilities follow into line. How a Conservative order (ULEZ) can be blamed on him I don't know. Reading T's comment, a Nye Bevan quote springs to mind "The Tories alway need a bogey-man".

Alan, good question. The front axle design and position is so that the bus can take corners and junctions more easily without mounting the pavements, the length of the bus just justifies that. This is not a new design, here at Wigan, the old Leyland Atlantean had the same axle dimensions from the 1960s and was a success. I think the first manufacture of the Leyland chassis design dates back to the 1950s.

Another negative comment form ozy.

I don’t see any positive ones from you Wiganer..
Ozy can tell a good tale and what’s more he can write legibly.

I think these buses are great and Andy Burnham should be congratulated. Much better than overcrowded trains (when they are running) fully agree with Methinks.

Great buses, great colour and great Andy Burnham.
Great photo Brian.

I agree buses are a Godsend for people who live in rural areas with no other transport.
Myself - why would I travel for 50 minutes (on an overcrowded bus) when I live within walking distance near the railway station and can get to my destination in 9 minutes. Not only that buses stop at every stop and are prone to traffic jams! Both modes of transport have their pro’s and cons….some unfortunates have neither. Also it’s easy for those who drive and can leave their car free of charge on the car park next to the railway station. It’s all a matter of preference ..each to his own. There’s a saying “ Whatever floats your boat..” be it bus, train, horse and cart , or bicycle. Give thanks for what is available.

Thanks Colin Harlow a very intelligent and logical answer.

Veronica says and I quote, number 7 bus coming past and its always empty. Then she says why would I travel for 50 minutes on a overcrowded bus. Going by bus to Southport in the 1960s would be rough, but not on these days with these spacious modern buses. Much better than late and overcrowded trains when they are not on strike. Andy Burnham should be prime minister, he is my hero.
Great photo of our future buses Brian.

It’s empty when it gets to Westhoughton if you read my post properly ‘Bus Inspector’ . It can be overcrowded when it goes through Hindley to Wigan especially if one bus is missing. I waited an hour and and a half on Leigh Bus Station a few weeks back just to get back to Westhoughton. There was a queue a mile long when the bus which should have taken passengers onboard - the driver just drove off without a by your leave. I was informed it happens regularly. It also happens on Wigan Bus Station where the number 7 doesn’t even turn up but yet there can be two or three number 8’s to Hindley! That’s my experience anyway. I have come to the conclusion it’s not worth coming to Wigan or Leigh for that matter on the bus.

Ps going on the bus to Southport THESE days from Wigan is rough. Try doing it!

You can't catch a train from Wigan to Leigh because Leigh has no station. So it has to be the bus, and I've boarded many times without any fuss....there and back. I must add, these new Bee buses and so comfortable and warm. 10/10 from me.

Remember when all the bus companies merged, 1974. Wigan Corporation Transport merged with Greater Manchester (GM) buses, that horrible colour Tangerine and White.

Yes I agree with what Andy has done for public transport, but if I wasn't retired and still had a car to go to work I would be up in arms about the charge he is looking to impose, it's just another money making racket.
Try to avoid peak periods for the buses, Wigan bus station around 3:00pm when the schools and colleges are turning out is chaos and if you manage to board one, most youngsters today have no manners and would never think of getting up their seat for older people.
The buses in Edinburgh very much remind me of the old corporation buses, they are maroon and white.