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

[radamfi]

Many (if not most) places have a Ring and Ride type service, such as Cheshire East:

http://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/tran...ble_transport/south_cheshire_dial_a_ride.aspx

Not everyone things that Local Link is a good idea as it means the withdrawal of conventional services in favour of having to book the service in advance. If you look at the bus map of Rochdale

http://www.tfgm.com/journey_planning/Documents/PDFMaps/Network-maps/Rochdale.pdf

you can see a vast area bounded by Manchester Road, Queensway and Oldham Road with no buses. This area used to be served by buses every 15 minutes in the 80s, half hourly buses in most of the 90s and then hourly services until withdrawal in favour of Local Link.

Local Link also doesn't usually accept System One tickets. Although it does stop at your door.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Many (if not most) places have a Ring and Ride type service, such as Cheshire East:
http://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/tran...ble_transport/south_cheshire_dial_a_ride.aspx

The fact that Crewe, Nantwich and Congleton may well have these services seems to convey the fact that the southern part of the county area is so served, let me assure you that the northern hinterland of "Greater Macclesfield" is somewhat of a goodly distance from those stated areas.

 

[radamfi]

The fact that Crewe, Nantwich and Congleton may well have these services seems to convey the fact that the southern part of the county area is so served, let me assure you that the northern hinterland of "Greater Macclesfield" is somewhat of a goodly distance from those stated areas.

What about this:

http://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/tran...e_transport/macclesfield_flexi_transport.aspx

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

What about this:

http://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/tran...e_transport/macclesfield_flexi_transport.aspx

Would you believe me if I told you that no-one that I know has any knowledge whatsoever of this facility in the more rural part of our village, where the number 19 service to Macclesfield, via Whirleybarn and Broken Cross, is used by the very few who do not drive. That route covers much of the more rural area in north-west Macclesfield.

As far as I can see, that link shows settlements that are already served by standard bus services.

 

[radamfi]

As far as I can see, that link shows settlements that are already served by standard bus services.

As far as I can tell, this service is available to all so may actually be analogous to the TfGM Local Link service rather than Ring and Ride. People could use it at any time during the hours of operation, rather than be restricted to an infrequent bus. And you can go door to door to anywhere in the region served, so for example from one village to another without changing buses in Macclesfield town centre.

It could be argued that almost no one is unserved by normal buses in Greater Manchester. In my Rochdale example above, there are bus services within 10 minutes walk from anywhere in that region. But there used to be buses there, and Local Link is the replacement. Local Links exist throughout Greater Manchester and most of them are in areas where there are regular buses nearby.

Unlike TfGM Local Link, but like TfGM Ring and Ride, concessionary pass holders travel free. But I suspect fares for paying adults would be considerably more than on the normal bus.

So this service could be considered better than what is on offer in GM, especially for passholders, although having to give 24 hours notice makes it somewhat less attractive. And the operating hours are limited. Local Links in GM often operate into the late evening, sometimes with a bigger service area than in the daytime to take account of more limited normal buses. And GM Local Links often work in rush hours so more people can use them for work journeys.

 

[Shrimper]

Full list of 7th April service changes now on the TFGM website.
http://www.tfgm.com/buses/Pages/service_changes.aspx

Looks like the previously mentioned Stagecoach operation of the 44 was an error by VOSA as it shows all journeys being run by MCT.

Bad month for Arriva with the loss of evening journeys on the 18 (to MCT), 19 (to Finglands), 22 (to MCT), 84 (to MCT) and 247 (to Stagecoach, operated by Stockport depot).

Finglands lose a lot of piecemeal stuff back to Stagecoach - evening 109s (2 round trips) and Saturday 370s (2 AM round trips and one Alt-Stockport evening journey), 371s (1 AM round trip, now replaced with the 11A) and 101s (3 inbound and 1 outbound trip).

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Full list of 7th April service changes now on the TfGM website.
http://www.tfgm.com/buses/Pages/service_changes.aspx

After a goodly time of operation, the 390 service from Stockport-Woodford-Bramhall has finally met its demise. Not very surprising news and the final date of operation is 8th April.

Rossendale have taken the opportunity to revise some of their service routes, with services on the 445/466/467/488 being withdrawn but being covered by other route extensions, but they have now totally withdrawn the number 8 Bury to Bacup service from 7th April.

There is a Wigan area service SC099, near to the bottom of the published list said to be run by Street Cars, betwen Wigan-Platt Bridge-Abram. Is this the taxi operation ?

 

[Deerfold]

There is a Wigan area service SC099, near to the bottom of the published list said to be run by Street Cars, betwen Wigan-Platt Bridge-Abram. Is this the taxi operation ?

Just wondering what the odds of getting Craig Charles as your driver will be.

 

[neilmc]

Full list of 7th April service changes now on the TFGM website.
http://www.tfgm.com/buses/Pages/service_changes.aspx

Looks like the previously mentioned Stagecoach operation of the 44 was an error by VOSA as it shows all journeys being run by MCT.

Bad month for Arriva with the loss of evening journeys on the 18 (to MCT), 19 (to Finglands), 22 (to MCT), 84 (to MCT) and 247 (to Stagecoach, operated by Stockport depot).

Finglands lose a lot of piecemeal stuff back to Stagecoach - evening 109s (2 round trips) and Saturday 370s (2 AM round trips and one Alt-Stockport evening journey), 371s (1 AM round trip, now replaced with the 11A) and 101s (3 inbound and 1 outbound trip).

This is exactly why GM need some kind of stringent licensing like on the London basis whereby you bid for a route and, if successful, have to operate to a common fare structure and timetable designated by the PTE which includes evening and Sunday operation, but nobody else can compete on that specific route.

 

[Deerfold]

This is exactly why GM need some kind of stringent licensing like on the London basis whereby you bid for a route and, if successful, have to operate to a common fare structure and timetable designated by the PTE which includes evening and Sunday operation, but nobody else can compete on that specific route.

Like Metro are trying to introduce in West Yorkshire? (Which could be interesting on cross-border routes).

Nathan

 

[dggar]

Like Metro are trying to introduce in West Yorkshire? (Which could be interesting on cross-border routes).

Nathan

Very interesting.
When attending GMPTE public meetings I recall being told that when the Glorious Bus De-Regulation happened, London wasn't included, so that is why TfL can set fares and routes etc.
An act of parliament would be required( I believe )to enable othe PTEs to work the same way as London.

 

[Deerfold]

Very interesting.
When attending GMPTE public meetings I recall being told that when the Glorious Bus De-Regulation happened, London wasn't included, so that is why TfL can set fares and routes etc.
An act of parliament would be required( I believe )to enable othe PTEs to work the same way as London.

No, buses in London were privatised (with some garages being sold to other bus companies and a number of management buy-outs occuring) but deregulation didn't happen in the same way. Any bus company can run a service in London (and there are a few) with the agreement of TfL and TfL is not allowed to disbar any without good reason. However substantial duplication of another route is seen as a good reason.

There's also the fact that subsidised bus fares in London make it uneconomic for companies to compete with TfL.

Some of the sightseeing buses do offer local fares but these are a way of topping up income a little rather than something they promote heavily.
(See http://www.theoriginaltour.com/UserFiles/LocalLondonBusPrices2012.pdf ) as an example.

I believe provision in an Act has already been made but ITAs have to do various things to be allowed to do it (http://www.wymetro.com/news/releases/qualitycontracts ).

 

[MidnightFlyer]

This is broadly related, but does anyone know if there's likely to be any recasts or alterations to the services around west / north west Greater Manchester any time soon (such as Salford and Bolton etc)? A lot of the changes this time around seem to be around the south and far west of the area, as well as Rossendale Bus, but my limited knowledge of UK bus operations so I can't deduce when the next wave of changes will be. Further, when are online / paper versions of the new timetables likely to be available, for those commencing in roughly 3 weeks' time?

 

[Shrimper]

I think traditionally the main bank of changes occurs around September, when the schools return - this seems the majority of tender renewals and I suspect most operators adjust their own schedules then to make the task of adjusting staff rotas easier, plus it comes off the back of summer holiday schedules with no schools and less time during the peaks to take into account the reduced traffic.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

This is broadly related, but does anyone know if there's likely to be any recasts or alterations to the services around west / north west Greater Manchester any time soon (such as Salford and Bolton etc)?

There were quite a good number of service operational changes made in January 2013 in that area.

 

[323235]

After a goodly time of operation, the 390 service from Stockport-Woodford-Bramhall has finally met its demise. Not very surprising news and the final date of operation is 8th April.

Yes and it is being part-replaced by the 372 with some daytime journeys operating via Stepping Hill/Racecourse Estate and round Chatsworth Road/Mill Lane to finish at the Five Ways with a 0930 journey starting their to plug the gap in the 392/393 timetable.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Yes and it is being part-replaced by the 372 with some daytime journeys operating via Stepping Hill/Racecourse Estate and round Chatsworth Road/Mill Lane to finish at the Five Ways with a 0930 journey starting their to plug the gap in the 392/393 timetable.

It is noticeable that the "Cheshire East" part of the 390 service that fell within the Poynton area is another example of service reduction in those areas. Once you pass the Brookside garden centre, you are in "Cheshire East" very soon indeed.

 

[323235]

Does anyone think that they may extend the 307/308 to serve Woodford as a solution to the problem of Woodford not having a direct bus service to Stockport come April 8th.

They do from their meeting papers seem to be looking for a solution that will give Woodford a direct link to Stepping Hill and Stockport and to me this looks like the obvious one, given the revised 390 was dropped in favour of an extended 372 route.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Does anyone think that they may extend the 307/308 to serve Woodford as a solution to the problem of Woodford not having a direct bus service to Stockport come April 8th.

They do from their meeting papers seem to be looking for a solution that will give Woodford a direct link to Stepping Hill and Stockport and to me this looks like the obvious one, given the revised 390 was dropped in favour of an extended 372 route.

I think that the problem here will be the fact that once the 307/308 circular services are in the Fiveways area of Hazel Grove, they will still then have to enter the territory of Cheshire East in Poynton, in order to reach Woodford, either by using the A523 at the Fiveways junction or by cutting its route short of there and then proceeding down Chester Road.

The only way to reach Woodford and to remain in TfGM administered areas is by going via Bramhall in the same way that is taken by the X57.

 

[323235]

Yes that is what I thought that they might add the Woodford loop onto the Bramhall end of the service rather than re-routing at the Fiveways, which they will leave be now it has the 372.

 

[howittpie]

Both First and Stagecoach fares are changing:
Firstday being reduced to £4 and Firstweek to £13 while Stagecoach are putting fares up 10p with dayriders becoming £4 and megariders £12.50. Ibelieve that former Bluebird routes fasres are not increaing though.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

The long-planned works to refurbish the roadways and the pavements at Parker Street bus station in Manchester city centre will now take place after Easter...
Closes...7am on Tuesday, 2nd April
Re-opens...7am on Friday, 5th April

Temporary bus stop information for affected services will be published.

 

[Shrimper]

Surprised they aren't doing it over Easter weekend, at least that would give 3 days of Sunday timetable working rather then peak M-F service!

 

[Greybeard33]

Yes that is what I thought that they might add the Woodford loop onto the Bramhall end of the service rather than re-routing at the Fiveways, which they will leave be now it has the 372.

Considering that the 307/308 takes a slow, roundabout route between Stockport and Cheadle Hulme, and provides only an hourly service, I would have thought that many Stockport-Woodford passengers might still prefer to take the 313 (20 min frequency) or 368/369 (15 min frequency) to Cheadle Hulme, and change there to the X57 (half hourly).

 

[Shrimper]

http://www.tfgm.com/Corporate/media_centre/Pages/News.aspx?articleId=196

List of alternative stops. It is going to be utter chaos; its been bad enough in the past when one stand closed and chucks people onto Portland St let alone when an entire bus station tries to cram itself into 4 small stops - particularly as those stops are usually used for layovers; so quite where everyone will go when they have time to kill is anyones guess!

 

[323235]

Considering that the 307/308 takes a slow, roundabout route between Stockport and Cheadle Hulme, and provides only an hourly service, I would have thought that many Stockport-Woodford passengers might still prefer to take the 313 (20 min frequency) or 368/369 (15 min frequency) to Cheadle Hulme, and change there to the X57 (half hourly).

well I just put Woodford - Stockport into Traveline and the quickest journey changing for the 313/378 takes between 39-43 minutes Off Peak and I estimate the 307/308 would take around 45 minutes from analysis of the current timetable and the X57 timetable for Woodford - Bramhall so not really that much at all and people always favour a direct service regardless of it taking a few minutes longer.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I wonder if there is the thought of detrimental passenger loadings on the X57 if it has to share these with the hourly 307/308 service, whereas the provision afforded by the 390 service was very poor indeed with very few daily services.

 

[gnolife]

Both First and Stagecoach fares are changing:
Firstday being reduced to £4 and Firstweek to £13 while Stagecoach are putting fares up 10p with dayriders becoming £4 and megariders £12.50. Ibelieve that former Bluebird routes fasres are not increaing though.

I wonder if the X34 has had something to do with First's price drop - with both operators weekly tickets being accepted on them, some people would have put two and two together and started buying Stagecoach tickets instead, meaning a substantial loss of revenue for First. I know the X34 isn't exactly the biggest money spinner for First, but it's still been busy whenever I've used it.

 

[323235]

I think it has been a combination of ongoing pressure from TfGM, reduced passenger growth (partially down to what you have mentioned) and calls from the public which has finally made them re-evaluate their fare position.

I think it will benefit them in the long run and will kill off any potential competition on their core routes like what JPT tried on the 17 service.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

TfGM on their "Service Changes" listing show the X43 service run by Transdev Burnley and Pendle will, from 7th April, be renumbering the Sunday and Bank Holiday services to 872 and also be extending some services to Grassington and to Skipton, which will be very useful for day-trippers from the Manchester area to both of those two destinations.