Pennine Blue were taken over by PMT and therefore the appearance of buses from the Potteries in the fleet based at Dukinfield was not too surprising, although the "Potteries Connection" legend above the windows probably meant little to the passengers. 425, now owned by First Pennine, nears the summit of the climb at Scouthead on the evening extension of the 353 service to Oldham, 15th June 2000.