Cheshire Bus News (was East Cheshire Bus News)

[markymark2000]

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

I'd go along the lines of, Why would I throw money at an authority which has a track record of running down bus services. Even if I believed that there was a will to change, their BSIP was very poor and there seems to be little intention on sorting things.

Alternatively, I can give funding to areas which have a proven track record of actually making change, aren't car centric and when it all goes well, I can stand infront of the buses and get a good photo and article out of it.


Giving money to Cheshire East is hardly going to generate anywhere near as many good results as some of the funding going elsewhere and when the funding runs out, Cheshire East will almost certainly run things back down to how they were whereas a number of other councils would keep things in place and this funding essentially provides a boost to the local authority and would leave a lasting legacy.

 

[Baxenden Bank]

I'd go along the lines of, Why would I throw money at an authority which has a track record of running down bus services. Even if I believed that there was a will to change, their BSIP was very poor and there seems to be little intention on sorting things.

Alternatively, I can give funding to areas which have a proven track record of actually making change, aren't car centric and when it all goes well, I can stand infront of the buses and get a good photo and article out of it.


Giving money to Cheshire East is hardly going to generate anywhere near as many good results as some of the funding going elsewhere and when the funding runs out, Cheshire East will almost certainly run things back down to how they were whereas a number of other councils would keep things in place and this funding essentially provides a boost to the local authority and would leave a lasting legacy.

Which would be a good one, if neighbouring Stoke-on-Trent, a very close runner up in the "wash your hands of public transport" competition, hadn't been offered £31m!

What colour is/are the MP/s for Cheshire East? Stoke-on-Trent gave itself a blue rinse at the last general election.

 

[jfollows]

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

It's already been observed that Cheshire East ousted the Conservatives two years ago.
Maybe a different reason is because Cheshire East isn't up for election in May this year, and other recipients of the "largesse" are?
Cheshire East MPs at https://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/cou...d_elections/mps_and_meps_contact_details.aspx (5 constituencies, all Conservative, Crewe & Nantwich probably the only one not totally safe (Labour from formation in 1983 until 2008, then also 2017-2019))
(Electoral Calculus puts Macclesfield as position 268 in the order of Conservative safest seats, Crewe & Nantwich 285, so both possible Labour targets with a big swing https://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/orderedseats.html . Eddisbury at 226, Congleton at 219 and Tatton at 212 are safe.)

 

[northwichcat]

It's already been observed that Cheshire East ousted the Conservatives two years ago.
Maybe a different reason is because Cheshire East isn't up for election in May this year, and other recipients of the "largesse" are?
Cheshire East MPs at https://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/cou...d_elections/mps_and_meps_contact_details.aspx (5 constituencies, all Conservative, Crewe & Nantwich probably the only one not totally safe (Labour from formation in 1983 until 2008, then also 2017-2019))
(Electoral Calculus puts Macclesfield as position 268 in the order of Conservative safest seats, Crewe & Nantwich 285, so both possible Labour targets with a big swing https://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/orderedseats.html . Eddisbury at 226, Congleton at 219 and Tatton at 212 are safe.)

Note that there is a plan to redraw the boundaries ahead of the next election. Lymm, Holmes Chapel and Goostrey are set to move in to Tatton at the expense of the villages around Northwich. While a new 'South Cheshire' area could end up covering everywhere south of Chester/Winsford/Nantwich including Audlem.

 

[Shauny]

D&G Buses haven’t been trackable for two days. I’ve not been out yet this week, so I hope that it’s just a tracking fault.

 

[northwichcat]

D&G Buses haven’t been trackable for two days. I’ve not been out yet this week, so I hope that it’s just a tracking fault.

They are still operating services.

 

[Shauny]

They are still operating services.

Great! I saw that news story about a driver slamming on his brakes too hard so made me wonder for a second.

 

[323235]

Cheshire East's BSIP was very poor on actual attention to detail , they appeared to rush it last minute and dropped a 56 million pound figure out of a hat. Did they actually do a public consultation as I don't recall one or any results of it?

If they wanted the money they needed to have an actual business plan based on passenger demands with extensive operator and passenger group involvement and potentially working with TfGM on it.

This is where they appear to have massively failed.

 

[northwichcat]

Cheshire East's BSIP was very poor on actual attention to detail , they appeared to rush it last minute and dropped a 56 million pound figure out of a hat. Did they actually do a public consultation as I don't recall one or any results of it?

They did an active travel consultation that ended in Spring 2020 and that included buses and transport integration, as well as walking and cycling.

But maybe you're right instead of putting things like improvements to the Macclesfield to Wilmslow bus service, they should have been talking about Macclesfield Hospital and how an enhanced service will be beneficial to patients. While also considering other needs like what businesses are based at Alderley Park and what type of workers they employ etc.

 

[323235]

That isn't a BSIP consultation - if you look at what other councils did they went far beyond Cheshire East's mediocre efforts.

They even admitted some time ago to me they had no intention of following through on their local transport plans.

I will however say that the current administration seem to be doing slightly more than the previous tory administration - upping the 130 subsidy from £75,000 to £200,000 is not insignificant.

 

[northwichcat]

and potentially working with TfGM on it.

I think working with Warrington council would be beneficial as well. There's two bus services crossing the boundary, one is very limited and the other is even more limited. Yet Warrington is the largest town in Cheshire and apart from Crewe it isn't directly linked to Cheshire East towns by rail.

 

[323235]

I agree with you @pemma .

 

[Shauny]

This is what was written on Bus Service Changes, Cheshire East Council website:

Bus Service Changes

Bus service news, notices and changes affecting bus services in East Cheshire, including Crewe, Nantwich, Macclesfield, Congleton and Alsager.

www.cheshireeast.gov.uk

25 April 2022 - Crewe Bus Station redevelopment

From Sunday 25 April the exit from the bus station via Charles Street will be reduced down to two lanes and become one way (outward towards West St). Inbound journeys on services 6, 6E, 8, 12, 31, 31W, 42 & 85 will operate via Hightown, Flag Lane, St Marys Street and Delamere Street into the Bus Station.

I suppose this is good news in a way because they are slowly starting to clear the current bus station. The former Arriva depot on the site was cleared out a couple of months ago by contractors, the trees surrounding the former depot were chopped down, the former employee car park got closed off and now they are reducing the lanes down.

It isn’t as quick as said by CEC, but progress on this is being made very slowly. When the bus station in Macclesfield was being built in 2003-2004, the work there was also behind too.

Also, I have no idea where this supposedly temporary bus station is going to be, will it be on the site of the former depot? Or maybe add some stops on the sides of Delamere Street?

This post refers to Crewe Bus Station.

 

[Simon75]

This is what was written on Bus Service Changes, Cheshire East Council website:

Bus Service Changes

Bus service news, notices and changes affecting bus services in East Cheshire, including Crewe, Nantwich, Macclesfield, Congleton and Alsager.

www.cheshireeast.gov.uk

I suppose this is good news in a way because they are slowly starting to clear the current bus station. The former Arriva depot on the site was cleared out a couple of months ago by contractors, the trees surrounding the former depot were chopped down, the former employee car park got closed off and now they are reducing the lanes down.

It isn’t as quick as said by CEC, but progress on this is being made very slowly. When the bus station in Macclesfield was being built in 2003-2004, the work there was also behind too.

Also, I have no idea where this supposedly temporary bus station is going to be, will it be on the site of the former depot? Or maybe add some stops on the sides of Delamere Street?

This post refers to Crewe Bus Station.

The former Crewe Arriva garage will be demolished soon and the temporary bus station will built on the site

Macclesfield bus station had the advantage on built on separate land , so the old bus station/Arriva garage was still used

 

[Shauny]

Arriva Macclesfield Outstation have seemed to of obtained 662 & 663 from Winsford. With 4705 going the other way. I’ve noticed 709 has been off duties for a week or so, is that moving up to Winsford or even Wythenshawe? If it meets the legislation there.

 

[northwichcat]

Following the trend set by D&G and Arriva, the Little Gem Enviro 200 MMCs have been reallocated to the 44 Manchester to Altrincham via East Didsbury route that Little Gem started running today. A Metrocity and Evolution have tracked on the 391/392 route today.

Interesting

3 May 2022 - bus pass change

Free travel for all bus pass users before 9.30am, which was introduced to assist the vaccine rollout, will cease from 3 May 2022.

Bus Service Changes

Bus service news, notices and changes affecting bus services in East Cheshire, including Crewe, Nantwich, Macclesfield, Congleton and Alsager.

www.cheshireeast.gov.uk

I'm sure D&G drivers on the 09:25 Knutsford to Altrincham have recently been telling pass holders it's too early to travel for free.

 

[Shauny]

Following the trend set by D&G and Arriva, the Little Gem Enviro 200 MMCs have been reallocated to the 44 Manchester to Altrincham via East Didsbury route that Little Gem started running today. A Metrocity and Evolution have tracked on the 391/392 route today.

LA60 ODY (Enviro 200 MMC) was back on the 391/392's today https://bustimes.org/vehicles/288492?date=2022-04-27
Will indeed be interesting to see if these are reallocated to the 44.

If thats the case its a repeat of new route, new buses. 12 months later we see old decrepit buses. Like the Geminis on the 38s, Streetlites on the 38's, Pulsars on the 130s and Solo SRs on Macclesfield Locals.

 

[northwichcat]

The Metrocities would also be a strange regular allocation for the 391/392 as they have lots of luggage racks being ex-APH vehicles. They would better suit an airport service or a route that runs past student accommodation. I travelled on one a few days ago and they are better vehicles than most of what's in the D&G fleet. Strangely they are fitted with seat belts.

 

[323235]

I've had and seen Metrocities on the 391/392 a fair few times in the past year. The luggage racks make the service look busy.

 

[northwichcat]

Howards have been awarded a new operating licence and have had a registration accepted to take over the B52 service from June.

Link to registration:

Vehicle Operator Licensing - GOV.UK

www.vehicle-operator-licensing.service.gov.uk

 

[LOL The Irony]

Howards have been awarded a new operating licence and have had a registration accepted to take over the B52 service from June.

What caused them to lose their operator's in the first place?

 

[northwichcat]

What caused them to lose their operator's in the first place?

The drivers who were made redundant, after Howards stopped running the 27, 200 & 289, found pension deductions had been taken from their pay but the contributions did not appear in their pensions. This resulted in them taking court action against Ian Howard. A CCJ against the named traffic manager was at least one reason the traffic commissioner revoked the licence but may not have been the only reason.

They still had the contract for the 48 and B52 when their licence was revoked and they stopped running those services during the middle of a weekday, with Warrington's Own Buses and MP Travel taking them over.





With the Mellor buses in the Arriva fleet bustimes is reporting that 6 of them have tracked on Altrincham services either yesterday or today and two of the others last tracked on Macclesfield services. One hasn't tracked since an evening service on the 37W a month ago, so that vehicle could be anywhere now. Either way it seems there's very few left at either Winsford or the Macclesfield outstation.

 

[Shauny]

With the Mellor buses in the Arriva fleet bustimes is reporting that 6 of them have tracked on Altrincham services either yesterday or today and two of the others last tracked on Macclesfield services. One hasn't tracked since an evening service on the 37W a month ago, so that vehicle could be anywhere now. Either way it seems there's very few left at either Winsford or the Macclesfield outstation.

4707 (LM17 WOB) & 4708 (LM17 WOD) are both still at Winsford. Being used for Macclesfield Locals alongside 663 & 664 from Macclesfield Outstation.

I’m not sure on 4706 (LM17 WOH)’s whereabouts.

 

[33117]

Arriva Macclesfield Outstation have seemed to of obtained 662 & 663 from Winsford. With 4705 going the other way. I’ve noticed 709 has been off duties for a week or so, is that moving up to Winsford or even Wythenshawe? If it meets the legislation there.

Sorry for replying to an old post but I've been mad busy so haven't checked the forums as much as I usually do.

709 I can confirm is still on the road, working in Macclesfield, usually does the 10 Bollington route.

Think I remember reading a while ago that there's supposedly 2 Solos under repair which when complete will mean the last Stratas in Macc (4707/4708) finally clear off much to many noisy cheers from drivers too!!!

 

[northwichcat]

No information on either the D&G site or Cheshire East site about how road closures for the May Day Festival will affect the 88 and 89 services tomorrow.

Update: So it seems 88/89 services are diverting via Seven Sisters Lane to skip the town centre, with 89 going via Plumley. It means Tabley and Pickmere are being omitted from the 89 journeys, while Bexton was omitted from the 12:45 Macclesfield to Altrincham run. With Knutsford bus station, Toft Road, Adams Hill and Northwich Road not being served by anything.

Think I remember reading a while ago that there's supposedly 2 Solos under repair which when complete will mean the last Stratas in Macc (4707/4708) finally clear off much to many noisy cheers from drivers too!!!

Return to Winsford to be used on Northwich services or move to Wythenshawe? Wythenshawe doesn't seem short of them, as they aren't using all the ones they have now each day. It seems the 288 evening and Sunday service gets a Pulsar due to being interworked with the 18.


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

88 and 89 services in chaos today (Tuesday) as two vehicles fail and D&G have to send up replacements from Crewe.

 

[Shauny]

I've noticed over the last week that the Macclesfield locals seem to have 1 Solo and 2 Stratas working. On Friday, 664 was swapped for 662 around midday. So do the drivers at Macc prefer the Stratas? I was speaking to a driver a few months ago and he said that he preferred driving the Stratas rather than the Solos.

 

[northwichcat]

I've heard some drivers dislike Solos in general because the location of the front wheels makes them harder to manoeuvre, but then I'd also heard drivers preferring Solos over the Streetlites with the wheels at the very front.

 

[Shauny]

I've heard some drivers dislike Solos in general because the location of the front wheels makes them harder to manoeuvre, but then I'd also heard drivers preferring Solos over the Streetlites with the wheels at the very front.

Yes, I guess its down to personal preference. I was speaking to a D&G driver who regularly drives the 88, and he was telling me that the Streetlite was his favourite bus to drive when 154 came over from Crewe for 2 days.

 

[northwichcat]

Yes, I guess its down to personal preference. I was speaking to a D&G driver who regularly drives the 88, and he was telling me that the Streetlite was his favourite bus to drive when 154 came over from Crewe for 2 days.

The Streetlites seem to be good at climbing hills when other vehicle types can struggle. However, from a passenger perspective they shake and rattle a lot, especially when they travel at over 30mph or on roads which don't have a good road surface. The former Bakerbus ones in the D&G fleet are getting on a bit now as well, so they could really do with the interior being updated if D&G intend to keep them for the foreseeable future.

 

[sonic2009]

Changes are happening next month with the services ran by Winsford depot - awaiting details from VOSA/Arriva website but drivers i know have said it's going to be the cancellation of the 31W Crewe - Winsford, 37W Winsford - Sandbach and one of the Winsford circulars 7A or 7C