First Greater Manchester

First Greater Manchester
Name	First Greater Manchester
Parent	FirstGroup
Founded	1997
Headquarters	Manchester
Service area	Greater Manchester
Fleet size	~500 vehicles
Website	https://www.firstbus.co.uk/greater-manchester

First Greater Manchester is a major bus operator providing services across the Greater Manchester region. It is a subsidiary of the multinational transport company FirstGroup. The company operates a large network of routes, connecting key destinations such as Manchester city centre, Manchester Airport, and numerous towns including Bolton, Oldham, Rochdale, and Wigan.

History

The origins of the company trace back to the deregulation of bus services outside London following the Transport Act 1985. In the subsequent years, the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive oversaw a fragmented market of private operators. In 1997, FirstGroup acquired the operations of Greater Manchester Buses North, which had been formed from parts of the former publicly owned Greater Manchester Transport. This acquisition marked the formal creation of the operation. Further expansion occurred with the purchase of Finglands Coachways in 2000, integrating its routes in south Manchester. The company's history is intertwined with the broader consolidation of the UK bus industry, competing with rivals like Stagecoach Manchester and Arriva North West.

Operations

The company manages an extensive network of over 80 bus routes across the Greater Manchester county. Key corridors include high-frequency services linking Manchester with Salford, Stockport, and Tameside. It operates several major interurban routes, such as those serving the A6 and A62 corridors. A significant part of its operations includes contracted services for Transport for Greater Manchester, under the Bee Network branding initiative. The company also runs dedicated services for major employment and education centers, including those to the University of Manchester and the Trafford Centre.

Fleet

As of recent years, the fleet consists of approximately 500 vehicles, predominantly single-decker and double-decker buses. The company has undertaken significant fleet modernization, introducing low-emission vehicles compliant with Euro 6 standards. A notable portion of the fleet now comprises Alexander Dennis Enviro400 double-deckers and Wright StreetDeck models. For longer-distance services, it operates coaches such as the Plaxton Panther. The company has also invested in a growing number of electric buses, part of a wider initiative supported by the Department for Transport and the Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas scheme.

Depots

First Greater Manchester operates from five main depots strategically located across its operating area. The Oldham depot on Wallshaw Street is a key facility for services in the eastern part of the county. The Bolton depot at Lever Street maintains routes in the northwest, while the Rochdale depot on Mellor Street covers the northeastern sectors. In Manchester itself, the Queens Road depot is a major operational hub. The former Finglands site in West Didsbury also functions as a depot, focusing on services in south Manchester and Stockport.

Livery and branding

The company's vehicles primarily carry the corporate FirstGroup livery of white, purple, and magenta. A distinctive "dynamic wave" design is applied across the fleet. Following the introduction of the Bee Network by Transport for Greater Manchester, many buses operating under contract have been repainted in a unified yellow and black scheme featuring the Bee Network logo. Special all-over advertising liveries are also common, promoting local attractions, businesses, or events, such as those for Manchester City F.C. or the Manchester International Festival.

Incidents and controversies

The company has been involved in several notable incidents, including a fatal collision in Rochdale in 2010 which led to a driver's conviction for dangerous driving. It has faced criticism and regulatory scrutiny from bodies like the Traffic Commissioner for poor punctuality and reliability on certain routes, resulting in formal undertakings to improve services. Industrial relations have occasionally been strained, with drivers' union Unite organizing strikes over disputes concerning pay and working conditions. The company was also implicated in the wider FirstGroup financial controversies surrounding pension fund deficits.

Category:Bus companies of England Category:Companies based in Greater Manchester Category:FirstGroup