(27/02/2015 16:49)CX06 EBK Wrote: [ -> ]ACE have been around for at least 10 years, I think they started around 2003/4 not too long after LMS closed up. The Saturday 211 (Speke Circular) will be operated by HTL Buses who already operate the Monday - Friday tender.
It's a sad end to yet another local bus company that tried to compete with the big boys but, as the adage goes: It's an ill wind that blows no good. According to the Merseytravel site all of Ace's tendered services have been allocated to other operators. As expected Stagecoach gets the lion's share but it is nice to see Cumfybus, in light of recent losses, picking up some contracts which will surely help prevent that company facing the same fate as Ace, at least for the time being.
From Merseytravel website:
We have managed to secure replacements for the following services and they will run to the current timetable unless shown:
Route Nos. to/from to be operated by from
81 Bootle – Speke Stagecoach 1 March – reduced frequency
103 Thornton – Aigburth Cumfybus 2 March
111 Alder Hey – Whiston Hospital Avon Buses 2 March
119 Pier Head – Kirkby Admin Stagecoach 1 March*
157(156) Garswood - Rainford Stagecoach 28 Feb (reduced service 28 Feb, then normal service from 2 March)
160 – 165 Formby Circulars Cumfybus 28 Feb
181 Bootle – Speke Stagecoach 1 March
201 Speke – Royal Liverpool Hosp Stagecoach 2 March
211 Speke Circular Huyton Travel 28 Feb
214/216 Walton Park Circulars Stagecoach 1 March*
264 Halewood – Huyton Halton Transport 1 March
265 Tarbock Green – Halewood a replacement operator is being sought
289 Rainhill Station Circular Halton Transport 2 March
290 Kirkby Civic Centre – Rainhill Halton Transport 2 March
500/501 Night Tunnel Buses Stagecoach 28 Feb
667 St Austin’s School – Garston Stagecoach 2 March
691 Kirkdale Stn – Savio College Maghull Coaches 2 March
693 Knowsley Vill – Knowsley Park Huyton Travel 2 March
Centre for Learning
701 Crossens – Christ the King Cumfybus 2 March
746 Southport – Christ the King Cumfybus 2 March
800 Speke – Seaforth Stagecoach 2 March
827 Kirkby – Old Swan Maghull Coaches 2 March
831 Liverpool ONE – Old Roan Stagecoach 2 March
839 Longview – Seaforth Stagecoach 2 March
881 Bootle – Speke Jaguar Stagecoach 2 March
892 Liverpool ONE – Kirkby Stagecoach 2 March
Industrial Estate
*Stagecoach are hopeful of running the service on Saturday 28 February but at the time
of compiling this list, no confirmation had been received.
The following services, operated commercially by ACE Travel will no longer operate from Saturday 28 February.
Route Nos. to/from
2A/2E Pier Head – Liverpool FC (matchdays only)
25 Liverpool City Centre Explorer
36 Liverpool ONE – Belle Vale
38 Liverpool ONE – Halewood
47A Bootle – Southport
50 Canada Boulevard – Waterloo Interchange
61 Broadway – Bootle
I would add to the commercial list the single 320 journey ACE do between St Helens and Ashton.
I wonder if it's Stagecoach Wigan who have got the 157 - it would definitely make sense as I said in an earlier post.
(27/02/2015 17:25)St Helens Rider Wrote: [ -> ]Interesting to see that they state fares will not be charged for the first few days.
Could this be while registrations are sorted? I always thought it was illegal to take cash fares on a service that isn't registered. Obviously there will be some leway as they are emergency contracts.
(27/02/2015 17:48)Mayneway Wrote: [ -> ]Could this be while registrations are sorted? I always thought it was illegal to take cash fares on a service that isn't registered. Obviously there will be some leway as they are emergency contracts.
I'd forgot about that Mayneway, thanks.
You are right, HTLs 211 on Saturday will operate free all day as there has not been enough time understandably to register the service.
Goodbye Ace you did a much better job on the 197 that Arriva and Hattons ever did you'll be Missed
Some of the emergency contracts were future withdrawn services anyway, ie 111(Alder Hey-Whiston), 264 (Halewood-Huyton) and 831 (Liverpool-Netherton), whcih was to be replaced by new Ace Travel route 51.
Also the new 319 (St Helens-Ormskirk) will be a non starter.
I have to admit i am a bit shocked the 501 has been retained as this is only a recent(ish) thing. I still hope funding will be found from somewhere to replace the 319 but who knows