Trip to Rochdale / Littleborough 30-03-2024

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
37726	Rochdale Interchange	Littleborough, stop A	590	First West Yorkshire
69506	Littleborough, stop B	Rochdale Interchange	457	First Manchester
287	Rochdale Interchange	Healey Dell	464	Transdev Rosso
285	Healey, Whambottom Lane	Rochdale Interchange	464	Transdev Rosso
11521	Rochdale Interchange	Oldham BS	409	Stagecoach Manchester
84206	Oldham BS	Shaw, Community Centre	57	Stagecoach Manchester

Today we decided to re-visit Rochdale. Last weekend there was an extension of the Bee Network area to include Oldham and Rochdale. First ceased operations in Oldham and these service were taken over by Stagecoach. First gained a small depot in Rocdale and now operate local services there previously operated by Transdev Rosso.Research for the trip consisted of checking the weather which was for dry and cool weather. Matthew woke up at 08:00 and had his medication. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We got in the car and we set off just before 12:00. We set off through Blurton and we ran along Beaconsfield Drive. We turned left onto Church Road and at the roundabout we veered left onto Blurton Road past the former Coral shop which is new going to be flats. We ran through Blurton and into Heron Cross and over the A50. At Heron Cross lights we turned left onto Grove Road. We ran forwards onto Wheildon Road and we picked up uncle Dave. Once we had picked up uncle Dave, we continued down Wheildon Road and we joined the Northbound A500. We saw an unidentified minibus. We continued up to Barthomley Interchange and we joined the Northbound M6. Traveling up the M6 we saw grey minibus VN21 JFK, Moving People coach, Johnson coach and white minibus YX53 CYZ. We came off the M6 at junction 19 and we joined the Eastbound A556. Mum had looked for a place to have dinner and had found a small cafe in Wythenshawe. We continued onto the M56 and we headed towards the M60. At junction 3 we did a u-tun and headed Westwards back to junction 4. We turned left onto Simonsway and right onto Portway. We pulled in to where the cafe was and we parked up behind the block. We sat down and Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a can of Coke. Whilst we ate we saw Arriva NW&W 3101 on a #18 to Eccles. We got back into the car and we set off onto Portway. We turned left onto Simonsway and we turned right to re-join the M56. We continued East and ran forwards onti the anti-clockwise M60. We ran around the East side of Manchester amd we came off the motorway at Junction 21. We ran along the A6104 and we turned right onto the A663. We ran Northwards through Chadderton to Holden Fold and we joined the A627(M). At the end we turned right onto the A58. We turned right onto the A640 and we ran inti town. we turned right onto Water Street aand we ran past the end of the bus station. We turned left onto the A671 and we turned left onto Smith Street. We turned left onto Milton Street and we turned ariund in the car park at the end. Mum dropped up off and we said goodbye to her before turning left onto Smith Street. We headed to the bus station and as we arrived we saw Go North West 2047 on a #471 to Bolton.

Go North West 2047 in Rochdale Interchange

We walked into the Interchange and Matthew went to the toilet. Once he came out we went to see uncle Dave, and uncle Daves was having some trouble walking. We decided it would be best for him to return to where we were dropped off and mum would come back and pick him up. Matthew went into the shop and had a bottle of Coke and a caramel flapjack. We came out and said goodbye to uncle Dave and we walked around the interchange to see what we fancied catching. We saw a First double decker on stand. As we got closer we saw it was First West Yorkshire 37726 on a #590 to Halifax.

First West Yorkshire 37726 in Rochdale Interchange

We got on the bus an we booked System One Bus Day tickets at £5 each before we went upstairs and sat down. We set off out of the interchange and we turned left onto the B6266. We turned left onto the A671 and we ran Northwards. At the junction we turne right onto the Eastbound A58. We ran through Wardleworth and through Smallbridge and Greengate. We got to the centre of Littleborough and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we headed towards the crossing to go back in the other direction. As we approached the crossing we saw Transdev Team Pennine 1725 on a #587 to Rochdale.

Transdev Team Pennine 1725 in Littleborough

As we approached the stop we saw another bus coming I asked Matthew if he wanted to do this bus and he said no. As it got closer we saw it was First Manchester 69507 on a #455 to Rochdale.

First Manchester 69507 in Littleborough

Whilst wewaited for a bus Matthew had his caramel flapjack. Afterwards he decided that he needed a drink so we went to the pub. Matthew used the toilet and afterwards we had a small Coke each. We finished our drinks and we went outside to catch a bus. A short time later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was First Manchester 69506 on a #457 to Rochdale.

First Manchester 69506 in Littleborough

We got on the bus and we flashed the System One Bus Only Day ticket to the driver before we sat down towars the back of the bus. We set off along the A58 and we passed through Greengate. Just after the fire station we turned left onto Hammer Lane. We turned right onto Belfield Road and we ran forwards onto the B6266. We turned left onto the A671 and we turned right onto Water Street an we entered the bus ststaion from the South end. We got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we had a look around to see what we could catch next. we saw Stagecoach Manchester 84202 on a #17 to Manchester.

Stagecoach Manchester 84202 in Rochdale Interchange

Also seen was First Manchester 47629 on layover in between runs on the #461 Shawfield circular.

First Manchester 47629 in Rochdale Interchange

Matthew decided he wanted to do the Rosso bus. As we got to the stand we saw it was Transdev Rosso 287 on a #464 to Accrington.

Transdev Rosso 287 in Rochdale Interchange

We got on the bus and we flashed the System One Bus Day tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the bus station and we turned left onto Water Street. We turned left onto the A671 and we headed Northwards. We crossed over the A58 and we continued to Healey and the border of Lancashire where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus We set off back down the road to the First bus stop in Greater Manchester and we waited for the next bus. We onoy had a few minutes to wait. A short time later we saw the bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Transdev Rosso 285 on a 464 to Accrington.

Transdev Rosso 285 in Healey

We got on the bus and we flashed the System One Bus Day tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off along the A671 and we headed Southwards out of Healey. We continued South into Rochdale and we crossed over the A58. We turned right into Water Street and entered the interchange from the South end. We arrived at the bottom end and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew went to the toilet. We walked out of the interchange and we took a few pictures. We saw Stagecoach 11801 arrive on a #409 from Aston-under-Line.

Stagecoach Manchester 11801 in Rochdale Interchange

Also seen was former First Manchester 67411 now Stagecoach Manchester 27945 which was on layover.

Stagecoach Manchester 27945 in Rochdale Interchange

We headed back into the Interchange and we looked for another bus to catch. We decided to do a bus towards Oldham. AS we got closer we saw it was Stagecoach Manchester 11521 on a #409 to Ashton-under-Line.

Stagecoach Manchester 11521 in Rochdale Interchange

We got onto the bus and we flashed the System One tickets to the driver before we went upstairs and we sat down. The bus set off out of the interchange. We went down River Street and onto Water Street. We turned left onto the A6223 and we turned left onto Oldham Road and we continued into Balderstone. We continued Westwards along the A671 under the M62 and into Royton. We got in touch with mum to find out how everyone was getting on. Mum let us know that she was at Asda in Shaw. We continued straight up Long Sight and we continued Southwards past thr Royal Oldham Hospital and we turned left onto St Mary's Way. We travelled Eastwards for a short distance and we turned right into Oldham bus station. We walked down to the other part of the bus station where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we walked to the other part of the bus station. We saw Nexus Move YJ61 JHY on a #356 to Ashton-under-Line.

Nexus Move YJ61 JHY in Oldham bus station

We had a walk around to see what was around. We saw Stagecoach Manchester 13190 on a #350 to Ashton-under-Line.

Stagecoach Manchester 13190 in Oldham bus station

We looked up what bus we needed to get to mum at Shaw. There was a #57 to Rushcroft in around 20 minutes. We popped to the shop and Matthew had chocolate bar. WE sat at the stop and after Matthew had eaten the choclate he decided he needed to toilet. The as a pub nearby that we could see and an alleyway next to it. We walked down the alleyway and we got to the main pedestrian street. The pub had closed down. There was a shopping centre nearby so we went in there. Matthew used the toilet and we cut past Home Bargain to the bus station. On the way to our stand we saw Stagecoach Manchester 37632 on a #149 to Chadderton.

Stagecoach Manchester 37632 in Oldham bus station

Also seen was former First Manchester 67412 now Stagecoach Manchester 27941 on a #82 to Sholver

Stagecoach Manchester 27941 in Oldham bus station

A few minutes later our bus appeared. As it came on stand we saw it was Stagecoach Manchester 84206 on a #57 to Rushcroft.

Stagecoach Manchester 84206 in Oldham bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the System One Day ticket for the final time today. We went upstairs and the top deck was empty, so Mtthew took a picture inside of Stagecoach Manchester 84206.

Inside Stagecoach Manchester 84206

The bus set off out of the interchange and we turned right onto the B6477. We followed the B6477 through the town and we went past the former First Manchester depot which is now in Stagecoach hands. We turned left onto the A62 and left onto the B6194.

Stagecoach Manchester 84206 in Shaw

We continued along Greenfields Lane and we turned left into Asda car park. We found mum and we got in the car. We got onto Greenfields Lane and we turned right onto Eastway. We turned left onto Beal Lane and we crosed the crossroads onto Rochdale Road. We turned left onto Collinge Street and we parked in the car park. I went to the chip shop and bought Matthew sausage chips and gravy. When I got back to the car, Matthew needed to toilet so we walked along Collinge Street and we crossed over Rochdale Road and we visited The Pineapple. Matthew used the toilet and afterwards had a glass of Coke. When we had finished we headed back to the car and Matthew had his sausage chips and gravy. When we were ready we came out of the car park and we turned right onto Kershaw Street East. We turned left onto Westway and left onto Rochdale Road. We turned left onto the A663 and we ran through Royton. We crossed over the A627(M) and we continued Southwards through Chadderton ande Nimble Nook before joining the clockwise M60. We ran around the Eastside of Manchester and as we ran through Stockport we passed an American style school bus going the other way. We continued onto the Westbound M56 and we came off onto the A556. We joined the M6 at junction 19 and we ran down to junction 16. WE headed Southwards down the A500 through Talke Longport and Etruria into Stoke. We came off the A500 at Stoke and we veered off onto Whieldon Road and into Fenton. We dropped off uncle Dave and Matthew got out of the car to use the toilet, drink some of uncle Rob's Irn Bru and update his calendar. We got back in the car and we conrinued along Wheildon Road past the former Regent which is back up for sale. We ran forwards onto Grove Road and we saw green minibus R482 NDM parked up. We turned right onto Blurton Road and we crossed over the A50. We continued through Blurton and at the roundabout we veered right onto Church Street. We turned right onto the A5035 and back to Blurton. Later on we did some more of the Blog and wrote an e-mail. Matthew ate a birthday cake in a jar and we chilled out on the sofa until bedtime around 00:00... Mark