Cheshire Bus News (was East Cheshire Bus News)

[M803UYA]

Wythenshawe is the closest proper big town for Handforth. Wilmslow is a bit more posh. Wilmslow has the bigger brands and is busier. Also plenty of onward connections to the hospital, into Manchester or wherever else you want to go.

Is this the Handforth of 'Zoom Parish Council meeting' fame?

 

[py_megapixel]

Is this the Handforth of 'Zoom Parish Council meeting' fame?

Yes, that's right, though I don't think the council is called that any more!

 

[northwichcat]

The Airport, while good, don't forget that Wilmslow and Alderley Edge have direct trains to the Airport, it's only Macclesfield which doesn't have a direct link to the Airport.

You've forgotten Handforth also doesn't have an airport train, even though you mentioned Handforth in the previous sentence.

 

[markymark2000]

You've forgotten Handforth also doesn't have an airport train, even though you mentioned Handforth in the previous sentence.

How much demand do you seriously think there could be from Handforth to the Airport? It's a housing estate. Beyond some workers perhaps, the demand isn't going to be much.

 

[northwichcat]

How much demand do you seriously think there could be from Handforth to the Airport? It's a housing estate. Beyond some workers perhaps, the demand isn't going to be much.

Handforth's population is 50% higher than Alderley Edge's. I think there's fewer millionaires in Handforth too. So why mention Alderley Edge having an airport train as a reason for the primary destination of the 130 not being the airport but exclude Handforth as a place without an airport service?

Workers will provide regular passengers for a bus service. Holiday makers will only it on rare occasions. I think that's why the 288 is being re-routed via the cargo centre.

 

[Flange Squeal]

Yes, that's right, though I don't think the council is called that any more!

It was renamed ‘Handforth Town Council’ last year. I’m sure that’ll distance themselves from previous events…

 

[Shauny]

It was renamed ‘Handforth Town Council’ last year. I’m sure that’ll distance themselves from previous events…

Indeed it was. I knew someone who was friends with Brian Tolver. But back on topic, whenever I'm going through Handforth on the 130, barely anyone gets on or off. Tomorrow I'll be getting the 11:15 from Macclesfield to Wythenshawe and then the 12:59 from Wythenshawe Interchange to Macclesfield, so I'll let you know if that has changed.

 

[markymark2000]

Handforth's population is 50% higher than Alderley Edge's. I think there's fewer millionaires in Handforth too. So why mention Alderley Edge having an airport train as a reason for the primary destination of the 130 not being the airport but exclude Handforth as a place without an airport service?

Workers will provide regular passengers for a bus service. Holiday makers will only it on rare occasions. I think that's why the 288 is being re-routed via the cargo centre.

The workers may be good for the 130 but the limited operating hours make it near impossible for the majority of workers. The route only operates to/from the Airport for 9 hours of the day. Most shifts are that length and so would have to slot in perfectly.

Add into that the fact that no one has faith in the 130. It changes more often than I don't know what. Every other month there is roumers of it being cut or changed. It has basically killed demand over time.

 

[Shauny]

Arriva North West have acquired 3 Optare Solos (662, 663, 664) from Rhyl depot to Winsford depot. I was on 662 & 664 on the late 38’s last night and I must say, I don’t think they were cleaned before the transfer.

 

[sonic2009]

Arriva North West have acquired 3 Optare Solos (662, 663, 664) from Rhyl depot to Winsford depot. I was on 662 & 664 on the late 38’s last night and I must say, I don’t think they were cleaned before the transfer.

I believe they are replacements for the Mellor Strata's, as recently only 2 of them have been out in service.

 

[Shauny]

I believe they are replacements for the Mellor Strata's, as recently only 2 of them have been out in service.

Yes, I thought the same. Also its 3 now. 4700, 4701 and 4702 have now all moved to Wythenshawe ready for late April. I wonder if Wythenshawe will do something with the buses such as a lick of paint or route brand them? Its nearly a month away until they will need them, so makes me wonder. Also, does anybody know if 4703, 4705, 4707 and 4708 will be moving out of Macc? I'd love to see the back of them or will Wythenshawe not need the whole set of 9.

 

[northwichcat]

Yes, I thought the same. Also its 3 now. 4700, 4701 and 4702 have now all moved to Wythenshawe ready for late April. I wonder if Wythenshawe will do something with the buses such as a lick of paint or route brand them? Its nearly a month away until they will need them, so makes me wonder. Also, does anybody know if 4703, 4705, 4707 and 4708 will be moving out of Macc? I'd love to see the back of them or will Wythenshawe not need the whole set of 9.

Could the transfers now relate to them being used for route training ahead of new services starting?

Indeed it was. I knew someone who was friends with Brian Tolver. But back on topic, whenever I'm going through Handforth on the 130, barely anyone gets on or off. Tomorrow I'll be getting the 11:15 from Macclesfield to Wythenshawe and then the 12:59 from Wythenshawe Interchange to Macclesfield, so I'll let you know if that has changed.

I saw a Wythenshawe Hospital bound 130 service at the airport earlier, while waiting for a 288 bus. One person got off and there were two other passengers on board. No one got on.

The 288 did leave the airport with only 3 passengers but had around 15 by the time it got to Altrincham.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I saw a Wythenshawe Hospital bound 130 service at the airport earlier, while waiting for a 288 bus. One person got off and there were two other passengers on board. No one got on. The 288 did leave the airport with only 3 passengers but had around 15 by the time it got to Altrincham.

Well, as from Monday 3rd April, the 130 will no longer serve Wythenshawe Hospital and will no longer take the fast A555 road to Manchester Airport, but from the Handforth roundabout, it will take the B5358 (the original A34) to Outwood Road to Heald Green centre, then Finney Lane then Simonsway, but will still call at Wythenshawe Town Centre interchange en route to Manchester Airport.

 

[northwichcat]

Cheshire West bus service change communication is even worse than Cheshire East.

The D&G contracts for 1, 4 and 15A on Sundays have expired. They have been deleted from the D&G site. The Cheshire West site doesn't mention any service changes but they have uploaded a new timetable for the 15/15A that includes a Stagecoach Sunday service. The 1 & 4 have gone back to Arriva, again no mention of the change but they do link to the Arriva timetable that includes a Sunday service.

 

[zuriblue]

Arriva North West have acquired 3 Optare Solos (662, 663, 664) from Rhyl depot to Winsford depot. I was on 662 & 664 on the late 38’s last night and I must say, I don’t think they were cleaned before the transfer.

When Arriva sold Cannock depot to D&G didn’t they also move out the newer stock and bring in older stock?

 

[northwichcat]

Yes, I thought the same. Also its 3 now. 4700, 4701 and 4702 have now all moved to Wythenshawe ready for late April. I wonder if Wythenshawe will do something with the buses such as a lick of paint or route brand them? Its nearly a month away until they will need them, so makes me wonder. Also, does anybody know if 4703, 4705, 4707 and 4708 will be moving out of Macc? I'd love to see the back of them or will Wythenshawe not need the whole set of 9.

It sounds like they will be used for the 281-287 Mon-Sat daytime services and the 288 evening/Sunday and 280 Sunday services. I would guess the workings will be something like:
xx:57 284 Hale Barns circular
xx:43 285 Timperley circular
xx:23 283 Well Green circular
xx:04 287 Bowdon Vale circular
xx:33 282 Oldfield Brow circular (returning at xx:52)

So one vehicle does 5 different services within a 2 hour period and it won't need one vehicle per route.

When Arriva sold Cannock depot to D&G didn’t they also move out the newer stock and bring in older stock?

There's a difference swapping new for old and swapping modern minibuses for older bigger buses. I understand there have been instances of the minibuses leaving passengers behind in Macclesfield.

I also understand these cascaded Solos are slightly newer than the remaining Wright Cadets at Winsford and that Winsford received some cascaded deckers that have a high spec refurbished interior.

 

[sonic2009]

It sounds like they will be used for the 281-287 Mon-Sat daytime services and the 288 evening/Sunday and 280 Sunday services. I would guess the workings will be something like:
xx:57 284 Hale Barns circular
xx:43 285 Timperley circular
xx:23 283 Well Green circular
xx:04 287 Bowdon Vale circular
xx:33 282 Oldfield Brow circular (returning at xx:52)

So one vehicle does 5 different services within a 2 hour period and it won't need one vehicle per route.



There's a difference swapping new for old and swapping modern minibuses for older bigger buses. I understand there have been instances of the minibuses leaving passengers behind in Macclesfield.

I also understand these cascaded Solos are slightly newer than the remaining Wright Cadets at Winsford and that Winsford received some cascaded deckers that have a high spec refurbished interior.

Which deckers would you referring to? If it's the ex Wrexham - Chester buses they certainly weren't refurbished before being transferred in.

 

[northwichcat]

Which deckers would you referring to? If it's the ex Wrexham - Chester buses they certainly weren't refurbished before being transferred in.

There's a number of vehicles that have been refurbished to the Sapphire specification. I've no idea which 'Sapphire' routes they were used on previously.

 

[sonic2009]

There's a number of vehicles that have been refurbished to the Sapphire specification. I've no idea which 'Sapphire' routes they were used on previously.

I think the ones at Winsford the the private ABW plates were refurbished in 2013 for service 1 Wrexham - Chester, but certainly the age of them is telling now.

 

[northwichcat]

I think the ones at Winsford the the private ABW plates were refurbished in 2013 for service 1 Wrexham - Chester, but certainly the age of them is telling now.

Bustimes.org says they are 2008 registrations. It also shows they are 2002 registration deckers in the Arriva North East fleet and 2005 registration single deckers in the Arriva Wales fleet, so I don't see any evidence that Winsford is becoming the dumping ground for the worst vehicles ahead of a sale that were being inferred in an earlier post.

 

[sonic2009]

If you compare Winsford/Macclesfield garage to other fleets, then I'd say that the fleet isn't the youngest.

As far as I know there isn't any 2002 registered deckers?

Winsford has the ABW plated deckers, and 2/3 ALX400 that came in from Merseyside.

 

[northwichcat]

As far as I know there isn't any 2002 registered deckers?

As I said they are in the North East fleet and bustimes.org reports LG52 DDJ was last out in service yesterday, while LF52 UOY was last out on Monday. These are 6 years older than the deckers at Winsford and aren't marked as having WiFi and USB charging points. Hence, my argument that Winsford doesn't appear to be the Arriva dumping ground.

 

[sonic2009]

Aplogies I mis understood your post...

Winsford does get the cast offs though, the Mellor Stratas were brand new

 

[GusB]

The last 4 posts were moved to this thread as they were considered to be off-topic for this one:

TfGM-website, timetable updates and general news concerning TfGM bus stations.

I think it would be a good idea to open a thread like this to cover the bus services in "Greater Manchester" that have some TfGM timetable input in, plus news on any new TfGM bus station developments. In the March 2013 TfGM service update news on their website, clarification has been made with...

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[Simon75]

Aplogies I mis understood your post...

Winsford does get the cast offs though, the Mellor Stratas were brand new

Winsford since North Western owned it, have been cast offs

 

[northwichcat]

Winsford since North Western owned it, have been cast offs

They've had modern small buses for as long as I remember. They had small Mercedes buses in the 90s, that got replaced by accessible vehicles in the late 90s/early 00s and more recently SRs and the Mellors.

I didn't get the impression that what operated in central Cheshire was overall worse than in the Macclesfield and Altrincham areas in the 90s. I appreciate they were some elderly Leyland vehicles in use but the ex-Stevensons vehicles in Macclesfield always came across to me as some of the most inferior in the area.

I seem to recall Winsford's vehicles got worse after Arriva acquired Northwich based Nova Scotia.

 

[Simon75]

They've had modern small buses for as long as I remember. They had small Mercedes buses in the 90s, that got replaced by accessible vehicles in the late 90s/early 00s and more recently SRs and the Mellors.

I didn't get the impression that what operated in central Cheshire was overall worse than in the Macclesfield and Altrincham areas in the 90s. I appreciate they were some elderly Leyland vehicles in use but the ex-Stevensons vehicles in Macclesfield always came across to me as some of the most inferior in the area.

I seem to recall Winsford's vehicles got worse after Arriva acquired Northwich based Nova Scotia.

Forgot to mention the minibuses, meant the elderly VRs and Nationals

Crewe had a batch new darts with air conditioning for 6 Shavington to Leighton Hospital arround 2000.
Then the air conditioning was removed.
Not sure when they where withdrawn

 

[northwichcat]

No government funding for bus services in Cheshire East. It would be nice to know the reasons why this is the case.

Cheshire East Council has expressed its disappointment at missing out on government funding to help transform local bus services.

The government has announced that only 31 counties, city regions and unitary authorities have been chosen for funding to level up their local bus services as part of Whitehall’s ‘Bus Back Better’ transformation programme. Cheshire East was not included in the announcement, with many other rural councils also excluded.

Cheshire East Council had submitted a funding bid to the Department for Transport, containing ambitious plans to transform bus services across the borough.

06/04/2022 - Cheshire East Council 'deeply disappointed' to miss out on bus-boosting funding

Cheshire East Council has expressed its disappointment at missing out on government funding to help transform local bus services

www.cheshireeast.gov.uk

 

[Baxenden Bank]

No government funding for bus services in Cheshire East. It would be nice to know the reasons why this is the case.

06/04/2022 - Cheshire East Council 'deeply disappointed' to miss out on bus-boosting funding

Cheshire East Council has expressed its disappointment at missing out on government funding to help transform local bus services

www.cheshireeast.gov.uk

Because they vote Conservative already?
Because the council, even in a field of strong competitors, is particularly poor where public transport is concerned?

 

[northwichcat]

Because they vote Conservative already?
Because the council, even in a field of strong competitors, is particularly poor where public transport is concerned?

The Conservatives lost control of Cheshire East council at the last election. The current leader is Labour Cooperative and the deputy leader is independent, as a group of independents agreed to work with Labour to reform the council structure.

Other areas to miss out are: Blackpool, Cheshire West and Chester, Hull, Leicester, Plymouth, Sheffield City Region and Slough.

Cornwall's plans to be fast tracked with big fare cuts (up to 40%) and cheap multi-operator day and week tickets starting next week.