First Pioneer 404 (G62 RND) in Rochdale – 26 April 1999 (413-23A)

Monday 26 April 1999 – In late 1998 First Group acquired the business of Pioneer, Smithy Bridge near Rochdale and re-established a base in Rochdale using the former Bee-Line premises in Miall Street.

G62 RND, an Alexander (Belfast) N type bodied Leyland Tiger, had been new to Shearings in November 1989. In 1992 Shearings sold their bus operations to Timeline Travel and in turn in late 1998/early 1999 Timeline sold their business to First Greater Manchester. G62 RND ended up with First.

It was seen here close to Miall Street in Rochdale with Pioneer fleetnames and fleet number 404 although it still carried Timeline livery and branding for services from Horwich and Westhoughton to Leigh (516) and Bolton (539). I believe the blue ‘M’ logo relates to the Middlebrook Retail Park.