GMPTE/GM Buses (and First Greater Manchester's orange era)

April 1974 – On 1 April 1974 the Greater Manchester Metropolitan County came to being and what had been the SELNEC PTE (South East Lancashire North East Cheshire Passenger Transport Executive) became the Greater Manchester PTE. Weymann bodied AEC Regent V 6196 (NDK 986) was seen at Birch Hill Hospital on hospital visitors service 876. It was new to Rochdale Corporation Transport in May 1956 numbered 286 and was one of the 55 Weymann bodied AEC Regent Vs placed in service by the Corporation between 1956 and 1959 numbered 268-322. The three aperture destination indicator layout was that of Rochdale Corporation. When SELNEC introduced their three digit service numbers in the Rochdale district new service number blinds were fitted which were smaller than those used by the Corporation and featured some masking on the glass. The final destination and via blinds were Corporation originals.

August 1974 – Greater Manchester PTE 6175 (NDK 975) seen in Rochdale. It was new to Rochdale Corporation Transport in May 1956 numbered 275 and was one of the 55 Weymann bodied AEC Regent Vs placed in service by the Corporation between 1956 and 1959 numbered 268-322. In November 1969 the Rochdale Corporation Transport undertaking was absorbed by the SELNEC PTE (South East Lancashire North East Cheshire Passenger Transport Executive) that assigned fleet numbers 6198-6222 to these buses. In April 1974 the SELNEC PTE became the Greater Manchester PTE. When SELNEC introduced their three digit service numbers in the Rochdale district new service number blinds were fitted at the front to accommodate same but those the rear remained in situ disused.

June 1975 – Greater Manchester PTE 6209 (RDK 409) seen in Rochdale. It was new to Rochdale Corporation Transport in November 1957 numbered 309 and was one of the 55 Weymann bodied AEC Regent Vs placed in service by the Corporation between 1956 and 1959 numbered 268-322. In November 1969 the Rochdale Corporation Transport undertaking was absorbed by the SELNEC PTE (South East Lancashire North East Cheshire Passenger Transport Executive) that assigned fleet numbers 6198-6222 to these buses. In April 1974 the SELNEC PTE became the Greater Manchester PTE. The three aperture destination indicator layout was that of Rochdale Corporation although more modern blinds were displayed now. When SELNEC introduced their three digit service numbers in the Rochdale district new service number blinds were fitted which were smaller than those used by the Corporation and featured some masking on the glass.

August 1976 – For a time Rochdale Town Hall Square was used as the departure point for a number of Greater Manchester PTE bus services when redevelopment elsewhere around the town centre took place. The tower of the Town Hall borders the left hand edge of the photograph.

June 1975 - Greater Manchester PTE 6237 (KDK 137F) seen in Packer Street (Town Hall Square) Rochdale. It was a Daimler Fleetline with MCW bodywork new to Rochdale Corporation Transport in January 1968 with fleet number 337. In November 1969 the Rochdale Corporation Transport undertaking was absorbed by the SELNEC PTE (South East Lancashire North East Cheshire Passenger Transport Executive). In April 1974 the SELNEC PTE became the Greater Manchester PTE. In the background is a Park Royal bodied Daimler Fleetline still wearing SELNEC fleetnames.

August 1976 - A Greater Manchester PTE bus at the Norden terminus on the outskirts of Rochdale. It appears to be one of the Northern Counties bodied Daimler Fleetlines from the YNA xxxM batch of buses delivered to the SELNEC PTE from August 1973. (Might it be 7335 (YNA 290M)?) Comprising 100 buses the batch was not completed until July 1974 by which time SELNEC had been replaced by the GMPTE. The bus shelter and time clock had their origin with Rochdale Corporation Transport which was absorbed by SELNEC in November 1969. The time clock was originally painted in the Corporation’s dark blue but now sported the orange of the later Passenger Transport Executives.

July 1976 - Greater Manchester PTE 7440 (GND 506N), a Northern Counties bodied Daimler Fleetline new in November 1974, seen in Newgate, Rochdale.

Sunday 26 September 2004 – ‘Showbus’ bus and coach rally at Duxford, Cambridgeshire, UK. Entry number 251: 2236 (RNA 236J), a 1971 Daimler Fleetline with a Park Royal body built to the ‘Mancunian’ style originally designed by the Manchester Corporation Transport Department. MCTD was a trailblazer in the field of one-man operation on double-decker buses and in 1968 placed its first ‘Mancunian’ in service. The following year (1969) MCTD was absorbed into the SELNEC PTE* which then became the Greater Manchester PTE (trading as Greater Manchester Transport). 2236 carries GMT fleetnames and livery with the ‘NN’ garage code for Northenden in South Manchester. *South East Lancashire North East Cheshire Passenger Transport Executive

Saturday 21 March 1992 – GM Buses 5202 (C202 FVU), a Northern Counties bodied MCW Metrobus DR132/8 in July 1986, seen in Rochdale. Fitted with higher backed seating and sporting a colour scheme with branding for ‘GM Express’, it had just departed from the bus station heading to Manchester Airport on service 400. This service had its origins under the SELNEC PTE as the ‘Trans Lancs Express’. The bus bears the ‘OM’ (Oldham) garage code above the fleet number. Follwing behind is another Northern Counties bus wearing normal GM Buses fleet colours. The bus station was located out of shot to the right of the black glass council offices building – both have now been demolished.

Friday 18 October 1991 – Within a short time after this photograph was taken this sign would be taken down when GM Buses closed its garage on Mellor Street, Rochdale Rochdale Corporation Tramways established the site in 1904 replacing a smaller property in Entwistle Road near the town centre. Rochdale Corporation Transport continued with bus operation until the SELNEC PTE (South East Lancashire North East Cheshire Passenger Transport Executive) took over in November 1969. The SELNEC PTE became the Greater Manchester PTE (operating as Greater Manchester Transport) on 1 April 1974, the day that the Greater Manchester County was created. In October 1986 in the lead up to privatisation Greater Manchester Transport was renamed GM Buses and became an ‘arms length’ operation of the Passenger Transport Executive. Facing the need to reduce operating losses the Rochdale garage closed after operations on 29 November 1991 with services covered from the garages in neighbouring towns. The property was subsequently occupied by a fruit and vegetable wholesaler.

Friday 18 October 1991 – Inside the GM Buses garage in Mellor Street, Rochdale. On the left is 5113 (SND 113X), a MCW Metrobus DR102/23 new in August 1981, and on the right is 8127 (KDB 127V), a Northern Counties bodied Leyland Fleetline FE30AGR new in May 1980. Rochdale Corporation Tramways established the site in 1904 replacing a smaller property in Entwistle Road near the town centre. These buses stand under one of the garage extensions carried out in the early 1960s. Rochdale Corporation Transport continued with bus operation until the SELNEC PTE (South East Lancashire North East Cheshire Passenger Transport Executive) took over in November 1969. The SELNEC PTE became the Greater Manchester PTE (operating as Greater Manchester Transport) on 1 April 1974, the day that the Greater Manchester County was created. In October 1986 in the lead up to privatisation Greater Manchester Transport was renamed GM Buses and became an ‘arms length’ operation of the Passenger Transport Executive. Facing the need to reduce operating losses the Rochdale garage was closed after operations on 29 November 1991 with services covered from the garages in neighbouring towns. The property was subsequently occupied by a fruit and vegetable wholesaler and, as far as I know, the terracotta lettering still remains as part of the building.

Friday 18 October 1991 – Three Northern Counties bodied buses parked inside the GM Buses garage in Mellor Street, Rochdale. From left to right they are 8142 (GNF 17V), a Leyland Fleetline FE30AGR new in July 1980; 3290 (F290 DRJ), a Leyland Olympian ONLXB/1RZ new in September 1988; and 5305 (D305 JVR), a MCW Metrobus DR102/51 new in October 1986. The latter bus is fitted with higher backed seating and sports a colour scheme and branding for ‘GM Express’. Rochdale Corporation Tramways established the site in 1904 replacing a smaller property in Entwistle Road near the town centre. These buses stand under one of the garage extensions carried out in the early 1960s. Rochdale Corporation Transport continued with bus operation until the SELNEC PTE (South East Lancashire North East Cheshire Passenger Transport Executive) took over in November 1969. The SELNEC PTE became the Greater Manchester PTE (operating as Greater Manchester Transport) on 1 April 1974, the day that the Greater Manchester County was created. In October 1986 in the lead up to privatisation Greater Manchester Transport was renamed GM Buses and became an ‘arms length’ operation of the Passenger Transport Executive. Facing the need to reduce operating losses the Rochdale garage was closed after operations on 29 November 1991 with services covered from the garages in neighbouring towns. The property was subsequently occupied by a fruit and vegetable wholesaler and, as far as I know, the terracotta lettering still remains as part of the building.

Sunday 9 August 1987 – The northern (Spotland Bridge) end of the GM Buses garage in Mellor Street, Rochdale. The pile of debris was as a result of some building work taking place as indicated by the two signs on the right. The red brick building on the extreme right of the photograph was first established by Rochdale Corporation Tramways in 1904 replacing a smaller property in Entwistle Road near the town centre. During the early 1960s more covered garage accommodation was created at each end of the site. With a straight frontage to Mellor Street, the rear of the property was curved to fit in the profile of the River Spodden which flows by the trees on the left. The garage exit at the southern end joins Mellor Street just before the bridge which takes the river to the opposite side of the road. Being Sunday there were a number of buses parked in the garage mainly double deckers plus one Leyland National single decker. Rochdale’s trams ceased operation in November 1932 and the Corporation continued with bus operation until the SELNEC PTE (South East Lancashire North East Cheshire Passenger Transport Executive) took over the operation in November 1969. The SELNEC PTE became the Greater Manchester PTE (operating as Greater Manchester Transport) on 1 April 1974, the day that the Greater Manchester County was created. In October 1986 in the lead up to privatisation Greater Manchester Transport was renamed GM Buses and became an ‘arms length’ operation of the Passenger Transport Executive. Facing the need to reduce operating losses the Rochdale garage was closed after operations on 29 November 1991 with services covered from the garages in neighbouring towns. The property was subsequently occupied by a fruit and vegetable wholesaler and, as far as I know, the terracotta lettering still remains as part of the building.

Friday 18 October 1991 – Climbing away from Spotland Bridge is GM Buses 8091 (BVR 91T), a Northern Counties bodied Leyland Fleetline FE30AGR new in May 1979. Just above the fleet number is the Rochdale garage code ‘RE’. Unfortunately the Rochdale garage closed after operations on 29 November 1991 with services covered from the garages in neighbouring towns. Surrounded by industrial buildings, the River Spodden flows through the lower ground beyond.

Friday 18 October 1991 – Two Northern Counties bodied Leyland Fleetline FE30AGR double deckers passing in Spotland Road, Rochdale. On the left climbing away from Spotland Bridge, possibly running empty from the garage which was quite close by, is 8091 (BVR 91T) new in May 1979. Heading down the hill (or I should call it ‘brow’ although pronounced ‘brew’) towards Spotland Bridge, from where it would then face an even steeper climb up Rooley Moor Road to Daniel Fold, is 8148 (MNC 491W) new in August 1980. Alongside the fleet numbers is the Rochdale garage code ‘RE’. Unfortunately the Rochdale garage closed after operations on 29 November 1991 with services covered from the garages in neighbouring towns.

Friday 18 October 1991 – GM Buses 1538 (D538 MJA), a Robin Hood bodied Iveco 49-10 new in February 1987, seen in Mellor Street, Rochdale. It was returning to Rochdale town centre on service R1 from Norden Way. The building in the background was the former Rochdale Corporation Transport workshops which stood across the road from the main garage. GM Buses closed the Rochdale garage after operations on 29 November 1991 with services covered from the garages in neighbouring towns. Whilst the garage property still stands and used by a fruit and vegetable wholesaler and other tenants, the workshop building was demolished and replaced by a new building housing an equestrian materials supplier.

Saturday 21 March 1992 – GM Buses 8316 (MNC 513W), a Northern Counties bodied Leyland Atlantean AN68A/1R new in September 1980, seen in Rochdale. It had just departed from the bus station and was heading to Spotland (Daniel Fold) on service 438. The bus station was located out of shot to the right of the black glass council offices building – both have now been demolished. Since GM Buses closed their Rochdale garage a few months earlier this service appeared to be covered by a Bury garage vehicle presumably interworked with a service from Bury to Rochdale via ‘Bury, Bamford and Bury Road’ which is totally incorrect for a service to Daniel Fold. A lazy driver that had left the blind unchanged.

Thursday 12 October 1995 (approx. 1300) – GM Buses North 5104 (SND 104X), an MCW Metrobus new in August 1981, seen passing through The Square in the Pennine village of Dobcross. It carries a then quite new livery layout. The monument in the square was erected in 1901 to commemorate Willian Henry Fox Ramsden, a well respected local physician who campaigned for better drinking water and living conditions in the area. The square featured in the John Schlesinger film ‘Yanks’ starring Vanessa Redgrave, Richard Gere, William Devane, Lisa Eichhorn and Tony Melody filmed in 1978 and released the following year. I worked in Dobcross at the time and saw some of the filming.