Trivia: UK local bus routes that use motorways

[Shrimper]

South Lancs Travel operate the 300 (Bolton-Trafford Centre); 126 (Leigh-Trafford Centre) and 132 (Atherton-Trafford Centre). These all operate on the M60, with the 300 (which is in effect Express) using the M61 as well.

 

[neilmc]

Technically, all the buses in South Manchester on Princess Parkway use the M60 for a small portion of the journey crossing the Mersey as there is a bus-only slip road which joins the entrance and exit loops.

 

[starrymarkb]

This is South Glos Bus & Coach, the NatEx 402. Very rare to have an announcement on the way out at pick up points, generally one about Heathrow when we are near it, that's about it. We have Levante's which don't seem to have auto announcements, unless a Plaxton Panther works it.

The driver does walk through though, and also there is generally an announcement about seatbelts on the return only though.

Only time you don't get a check on the way out is if the long haired bloke is driving. He get's off at every pick up/set down point for a fag...

Its a CD the driver plays - http://youtu.be/SChL4xYx9s4?t=29s

 

[alwaystouchout]

Not sure if it's been mentioned, but the X5 (I think?) from Stockport to Sale runs on the M60 between Stockport and Sharston.

 

[extendedpaul]

I think regular bus services that include a stretch of motorway are quite rare in the UK

I'm aware that several routes in the Cardiff/Newport area use the M4. First's X7 takes the M48 across the Severn. and I think Ensign Bus X81 between Bluewater (Kent) and Lakeside (Essex) Shopping Centres uses the M25 for a short distance.

What other bus (not coach ) routes are timetabled via motorways ?

 

[Green Lane]

36 Ellesmere Port -> Runcorn

M53 junctions 9 to 10 is part of the route.

 

[SS4]

If you count the A38(M) there are a number of buses that do so

 

[GaryMcEwan]

First Glasgow X1, X2, X3, X5, X8, X11 X81/A/B, X85, X86, X86 and 747.

Stagecoach Western X36, X44, X74 and X76

Stagecoach in Glasgow X19 and X25/A

Most of them use the M8 and M74...

 

[overthewater]

First Glasgow Express, such as X1, X8, X11, X85/87 all use Buses via the M8/m73/m74 or M80. Stagecoach Fife have been know to use E300 and E400 on the Glasgow - Fife routes.

 

[tractakid]

Stagecoach 99 Milton Keynes to Luton, 13 to 11 M1

 

[transmanche]

Until last year, Stagecoach Newcastle's X63 used the A167(M) on Saturdays only. But the service has now been re-routed and doesn't use the motorway anymore.

 

[Robertj21a]

DeCourcey X6 Leicester - Coventry via M69.
Bits of M1/M62 used by some services around Leeds.
The various Glasgow services on the M8

 

[34D]

Didn't we have this thread recently?

 

[Zoidberg]

Didn't we have this thread recently?

There was this one http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=90426

 

[Hardcastle]

X8 Chorley-Keswick (Summer Saturdays only) M55 jct 1-M6 jct 36 also some 555 summer journeys M6 jcts 34-36 both operated by Stagecoach using standard double deck vehicles.

 

[168lover]

The X74 goes along the m40 from High Wycombe east to beaconsfield which is a distance of about 6 miles

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

The X43 TransDev "Witch Way" service from Manchester to Burnley/Nelson uses both the M60 and the M66.

 

[GregInWeardale]

Go North East "Pronto" X21 and Weardale Motor Services X21 both use A1(M) north of Chester-le-Street and Go North East 921 Rainton Bridge works services use part of A194(M) around Washington.

 

[Philip C]

I think regular bus services that include a stretch of motorway are quite rare in the UK

I'm aware that several routes in the Cardiff/Newport area use the M4. First's X7 takes the M48 across the Severn. and I think Ensign Bus X81 between Bluewater (Kent) and Lakeside (Essex) Shopping Centres uses the M25 for a short distance.

What other bus (not coach ) routes are timetabled via motorways ?

May I point out that the Dartford Crossing section of the "M25" used by Ensign Bus X81 is not in fact a motorway, neither is it the M25, but is designated the A282 and does not carry the same restrictions as a motorway. Non-Motorway Traffic is directed off the London Orbital Road at junctions 2 and 31 where the motorway begins.

 

[freetoview33]

In Bristol a fair few go along parts of the motorway, okay a lot only go along the M32 but plenty do!

 

[Liam]

Stagecoach Express services X24, X26, X27 use the M876, M80 and M8. X52, X59 and X61 use the M90 South of Halbeath.

The non-express service 56 uses the M90 between Kelty-Halbeath.

 

[extendedpaul]

May I point out that the Dartford Crossing section of the "M25" used by Ensign Bus X81 is not in fact a motorway, neither is it the M25, but is designated the A282 and does not carry the same restrictions as a motorway. Non-Motorway Traffic is directed off the London Orbital Road at junctions 2 and 31 where the motorway begins.

Thanks for that clarification. I had a hunch that while the Dartford Crossing feels like part of the M25 it isn't actually. Do any routes use the M25 proper ?

Anyway thanks for all the replies. Is it just me who gets a buzz travelling on a the top deck of a bus on a motorway ? I like using the double deck Megabus for the same reason !

 

[bus man]

Glad someone mentioned Glasgow I remember when RMs on motorway

 

[Statto]

420 West Kirby-Liverpool uses the M53.

 

[Liam]

The 747 Halbeath-Edinburgh Airport uses the M90 and M9 between Queensferry and Newbridge.

 

[umontu]

X61 from Blackpool to Manchester used to go on the M55 and M61 iirc , not sure if it still does.

61a definitely used to go from Blackpool to Kirkham by the M55. Less used by bus holders and quicker for us.

 

[185]

As said just the 420 on Wirral now.

Used to also have the Peak Hour 417/418s running alongside the 472s Heswall-Liverpool, but jumped onto the motorway halfway along at Woodchurch.

The old X8 was a regular on the M53, sometimes missing Bromborough and Eastham going straight to Hooton if there were no passengers to drop, but occasionally cutting through Spital to beat the traffic on the A41.

Was also a 475 from Moreton at one point by RedRider

 

[radamfi]

X61 from Blackpool to Manchester used to go on the M55 and M61 iirc , not sure if it still does.

That service no longer runs. Classic Bus North West ran a similar service (omitting Preston) using ex-London Citaro bendy buses for a while last year but that ceased suddenly.

 

[Statto]

As said just the 420 on Wirral now.

Used to also have the Peak Hour 417/418s running alongside the 472s Heswall-Liverpool, but jumped onto the motorway halfway along at Woodchurch.

The old X8 was a regular on the M53, sometimes missing Bromborough and Eastham going straight to Hooton if there were no passengers to drop, but occasionally cutting through Spital to beat the traffic on the A41.

Was also a 475 from Moreton at one point by RedRider

The 475 never used the Motorway, the M53 ends at Bidston Moss & becomes an A classified Road, now the A59.

 

[causton]

If you count the A38(M) there are a number of buses that do so

Can you tell me which ones these are? Trying to find them but the National Express site doesn't seem to have route maps, apart from a Google Map listing only one route at a time...!