The new 22(E) timetable from 08 April 2018 is now available:
https://www.merseytravel.gov.uk/travelli...02018).pdf
A few things of note:
○ Burtonwood loses this evening service, as the 'loop' at Earlestown is quite small, heading back to Newton-le-Willows via Acorn Street
○ The evening and Sunday services to Wigan are still called 22E / 22, despite Network Warrington seeming to suggest previously that they would be called 360
○ It takes around an hour each way on the extended runs, so a 2 hour 6 minute round trip on a Sunday, meaning that there is almost certain to be quite a bit of interworking.
(The 22 will probably still work onto a 15 on a Sunday, but less sure what it will work off - most likely candidate I would say is 26/27, or failing that the 16).
○ Network Warrington will be running a Sunday evening service again for the first time in many years, but not into Warrington (it will be Wigan - Newton-le-Willows only) - it looks like this will work off the 22 which leaves Warrington at 17:16
Surprised they didn't decide to run the last Sunday evening journey back through to Warrington to reduce dead mileage. It wouldn't have to do the Earlestown loop - just a straight last run down Winwick Road which I presume the bus will be doing but out of service.
(28/02/2018 18:43)St Helens Rider Wrote: [ -> ]Surprised they didn't decide to run the last Sunday evening journey back through to Warrington to reduce dead mileage. It wouldn't have to do the Earlestown loop - just a straight last run down Winwick Road which I presume the bus will be doing but out of service.
That's a good point!
I wonder if it is just in an effort to maintain absolutely no Sunday evening service in Warrington?!
Did anyone go to the thing in Stockton Heath yesterday to see the planned changes?
(28/02/2018 18:43)St Helens Rider Wrote: [ -> ]Surprised they didn't decide to run the last Sunday evening journey back through to Warrington to reduce dead mileage. It wouldn't have to do the Earlestown loop - just a straight last run down Winwick Road which I presume the bus will be doing but out of service.
Is there really any point in running a last service 5 hours after the previous service on a Sunday evening?
(01/03/2018 11:54)knutstransport Wrote: [ -> ]Is there really any point in running a last service 5 hours after the previous service on a Sunday evening?
It wouldn't make much money, granted, but the bus will be heading back to Warrington anyway.
I would use it when in the area, admittedly not frequently, but maybe to get a photo of a Warrington bus with Newton-le-Willows on the front or see Wigan buses at night etc. but if there is no service back to Warrington then that isn't possible.
(01/03/2018 11:54)knutstransport Wrote: [ -> ]Is there really any point in running a last service 5 hours after the previous service on a Sunday evening?
Network Warrington is a business as is all other bus/coach operators. If its empty, it isn’t making money. If there’s one or two, then its a few extra pounds for them.
(01/03/2018 12:55)RedPanda Wrote: [ -> ]Network Warrington is a business as is all other bus/coach operators. If its empty, it isn’t making money. If there’s one or two, then its a few extra pounds for them.
If the bus runs straight back to the depot from Newton-le-Willows it'll probably take around 25 minutes. If it runs in service it'll take just under 40 to get to the bus station and will then have to run to the depot. If it runs in service and they don't take any additional fares (e.g. if no one board or those who board have weekly passes or are ENCTS holders) then they could actually lose money by running it back in service instead of empty.
What's being thought about here as well is the through journey opportunity from Wigan/Golborne/Newton. Even if the company didn't wish to run it as a service, why not have an arrangement where the service continues to Warrington on a set down only basis from Newton (this has in the past been the case with some 22 (and 602 previously as was) late journeys).
(01/03/2018 12:55)RedPanda Wrote: [ -> ]Network Warrington is a business as is all other bus/coach operators.
That's open to debate on so many levels............