Lost Lake-Sider
On Monday 24th July 2017, Stagecoach Manchester were operating something a bit different on a variety of it's services. This being a brand new state of the art Volvo B5TL/ Wright Gemini 3 Open Topper which is one of a batch of seven for Cumbria & North Lancashire's Kendal depot. The vehicle started the day on the 203 route from Piccadilly Gardens to Stockport via Belle Vue and Gorton. It then went onto a part route 192 service via the A6 to Levenshulme and back.
13802 BV17 CTF seen leaving Piccadilly Gardens en route to Levenshulme © Aaron Whelan
The bus then went onto route 216 from Piccadilly Gardens to Ashton via The Etihad Stadium and Droylsden. It was to have an hour lay over here in the bus station before heading back on the same route into Manchester.
13802 BV17 CTF seen after arriving into Ashton Bus Station © Aaron Whelan
The last route the Lake-Sider would take on in Manchester would be a return trip on the 250 to intu Trafford Centre via Old Trafford.
13802 BV17 CTF coming onto stand at Piccadilly Gardens prior to operating the 250 to intu Trafford Centre © Mike Hanable
13802 BV17 CTF at intu Trafford Centre moving onto stand prior to working the 250 back into Manchester © Ant Dawson
So that was that for Day 1 of the Lake-Sider's tour of the North West.
13802 BV17 CTF seen in Manchester City Centre after finishing it's duties and heading back empty to Hyde Road depot © Ant Dawson
Overnight the vehicle moved on to Gillmoss depot in Liverpool to operate on their 82 and 86 services from Liverpool to Liverpool South Parkway on Tuesday 25th July.
13802 BV17 CTF sat at Liverpool South Parkway © Brett Renown
And finally on Wednesday 26th July the bus was in use out of Preston depot on services 2 and X2 to Southport and that was that for it's mini publicity stunt before venturing back to it's home lands later that day.
13802 BV17 CTF seen in Southport prior to working route 2 back to Preston © Stephen Caesar
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The next blog post will be about Arriva North West and Arriva Yorkshire recent investment, see you soon!