Seen an Enviro200 tracking on a 23 service in Warrington last few days, just reading the VOSA thread reminded me to mention as i haven't seen it mentioned any where before.
Interesting that they are starting another couple of services next week too , are these timetables available anywhere?
The new Warrington routes are now partially tracking and the 31A route has become clear, e.g.:
https://bustimes.org/vehicles/visb-yx61f.../483151967
It's surprising that this route goes to Sankey Station because I believe there are only a couple of trains per day from that station...
When it was mentioned that the route would go to "the station", I assumed it might be Warrington West, which is served by trains throughout the day.
(28/09/2023 10:02)Valandil Wrote: [ -> ]It's surprising that this route goes to Sankey Station because I believe there are only a couple of trains per day from that station...
When it was mentioned that the route would go to "the station", I assumed it might be Warrington West, which is served by trains throughout the day.
Now now, that would make too much sense.
Most of these new routes make sense though I didn't expect much better from Warrington Council.
23 linking to Orford Hub, nothing says outdated more than councils sending buses to the 'neighbourhood hubs'. 20/21 often plod through not stopping, what a waste of fuel. Ryefields, an area which keeps having different buses because nothing has ever, or will ever, generate enough passengers there. Avoiding Hilden Road so as not to extract revenue from the beloved WOB. Then plodding around Orange Grove but why then the 25 is still going around there and why such a long way around to serve Orange Grove?
B29, plods around Omega but doesn't run at shift times so what is the point in running around an industrial estate when the bus doesn't accommodate shift times? What a waste of fuel. They'd have been better working with Merseytravel to get it extended to Earlestown and replace the nearly useless 39.
31/31A/33, barmy routes. Clifton Road loop is a new area to the bus network, I shan't pass comment on that. Tannery Drive area though was served better but then kept having cuts due to the dismal usage. I know, let's put loads of buses down there and maybe they can still carry no one! 31A linking up to Sankey, what is wrong with the 14/15? The 33 then running to Westbrook along Sankey Way and Cromwell Ave when a much simpler routing could be set up between Westbrook/Gemini, through Chapelford (given they have no link to Westbrook/Gemini) and then through Penketh to finish. No need for 3 infrequent routes here when it could just be 1 or 2 more frequent services. Could become a really good arterial route but nope.
It's as if someone has just thrown money at them and said 'spend it or pay it back'.... Oh... hang on..... That's exactly what has happened.
(29/09/2023 06:44)iMarkeh Wrote: [ -> ]Clifton Road loop is a new area to the bus network, I shan't pass comment on that. Tannery Drive area though was served better but then kept having cuts due to the dismal usage. I know, let's put loads of buses down there and maybe they can still carry no one! 31A linking up to Sankey, what is wrong with the 14/15? The 33 then running to Westbrook along Sankey Way and Cromwell Ave when a much simpler routing could be set up between Westbrook/Gemini, through Chapelford (given they have no link to Westbrook/Gemini) and then through Penketh to finish. No need for 3 infrequent routes here when it could just be 1 or 2 more frequent services. Could become a really good arterial route but nope.
I do agree with you about this.
While I would love for these routes to succeed, it doesn't seem to be on the cards and surely those making the funding decisions know this and they will just get withdrawn again in time.
Instead, it would be great to have one more viable, comprehensive route which achieves many purposes: link the Penketh estates to Honiton Square shops, then on to Warrington West Station, then Chapelford and Whittle Hall, arriving at Westbrook and Gemini - possibly then on to Burtonwood and Collins Green (instead of running the B29) depending on how timings work out - I haven't done the maths on that yet, but I reckon probably give it 1 hour there, 1 hour back, so run every 2 hours (including layover) using just 1 vehicle.
Quite ironic seeing LX05EZJ in St Helens yesterday on 329s as in the past when the bus was owned by Cumfybus it was regularly used on their 139 St Helens-Liverpool service.
The bus was looking smart though in former owners (Finch's) livery.
Wondering if Link/MD still have the decker. TIA if anyone knows.
It's ironic them having many of the new routes in Warrington, especially the Penketh routes, as if memory serves, they used to have a depot in Penketh right near where these routes go.
I cannot find the 23 on bustimes, other than by asking it where MV59AJY which I photographed on it around lunchtime?