Some details of the changes to services 514, 515 and 574, which will take place from 2 January 2014, has been published in the Forthcoming Changes to the Bus Network document for the next TfGM Commitee meeting.
Services 514 and 574 will be withdrawn and partly replaced by service 515, which will be extended from Bolton bus station to Middlebrook via Markland Hill. New service 515X will run a circular route at peak-times, starting at Middlebrook then running to Bolton via Ladybridge before returning to Middlebrook direct via Chorley New Road (missing out Markland Hill).
http://www.transportforgreatermanchester...us_network
News update on SLT's 715 service. The TfGM timetable had SLT stepping in with some replacement journeys following Arriva's withdrawal of some journeys back at the end of October, however on VOSA, the service is registered from 13 December 2013.
PC0004417/199 - GREEN TRIANGLE BUSES LTD T/A SOUTH LANCASHIRE TRAVEL, 78 HIGH STREET, UTTOXETER, ST14 7JD
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: Wigan Bus Station, Hallgate, Wigan
Finish Point: Bolton Bus Station, Moor Lane, Bolton
Via: Aspull, Westhoughton, Lostock Junction, Ladybridge
Service Number: 715
Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 13-DEC-2013
Other Details: Monday to Saturday, hourly
The situation is that service is running but only on weekdays and they're offering free travel on the journeys until the service 'officially' starts in a fortnight.
Here's what SLT have said about the situation:
Quote:Passengers may be aware that at the moment no fares are charged to use South Lancs Travel service 715 buses. This is because the Traffic Commissioner has refused to accept our application to operate the service from the date we requested.
However we believe that, given time, the service will be viable and unless we continue to run it free unfortunately we will not be allowed to run it at all in the short term.
We will start charging fares from 13th December.
In the meantime, we will be operating a free Monday to Friday service. We hope that passengers will support us during this period, as a free journey is really good value, especially at this time of year!
635 has had inferior buses on it recently including those horrible dublin darts and the rapid W397PRC
Considering this is one of two high profile commercial routes that gets considerably busy they should keep decent buses on there as they need high capacity buses on there.
The 635 Branded Meridians have been appearing everywhere over the last few weeks. I've seen them in St Helens occasionally on the 319/Schools and in Leigh on some of the services round there.
I've noticed the same with 635 whenever I've been in Wigan and I'm pretty sure I've seen the odd Solo appearing as well, as for the 635 branded MAN Meridians well most of them have been debranded or partly debranded and as you've said appear on other routes now
2 Buses that seem to stick to the same routes are Scania Omnilink which is always on 300 these days and the Optare Olympus which is always on 126/683/684 services day in/day out
Solo K40 SLT is very unusually out on Rainford schools this afternoon so presumably the 319 too.
Something that hasn't been mentioned is the fact that Volvo B7 East Lancs Vyking X80SLT has been repainted into the current SLT double deck livery and was noted back on its old haunt of 300 last week
hi guys
i know not much of u people been reply on this thread so,
Here is a question why SLT want contract evening for 610 and 632 for?
But Stagecoach in wigan withdrawn on 632 and wigan buses/stg in wigan is withdrawn 610
Here is a VOSA information for 632 and 610 :
PC0004417/204 - GREEN TRIANGLE BUSES LTD T/A SOUTH LANCASHIRE TRAVEL, THE WELLINGTON, 78 HIGH STREET, UTTOXETER, ST14 7JD
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: WIGAN BUS STATION, HALLGATE, WIGAN
Finish Point: WIGAN BUS STATION, HALLGATE, WIGAN
Via:
Service Number: 610
Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 27-APR-2014
Other Details: MONDAY TO SATURDAY EVERY 30 MINUTES (EVENINGS)
and
PC0004417/203 - GREEN TRIANGLE BUSES LTD T/A SOUTH LANCASHIRE TRAVEL, THE WELLINGTON, 78 HIGH STREET, UTTOXETER, ST14 7JD
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: WIGAN BUS STATION, HALLGATE, WIGAN
Finish Point: WIGAN BUS STATION, HALLGATE, WIGAN
Via:
Service Number: 632
Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 27-APR-2014
Other Details: MONDAY TO FRIDAY HOURLY(EVENINGS)
Thank you,
Martyn
Bus services that are not commercially viable are put out to tender by local authorities or PTEs. In the case of services 610 and 632 these tenders were awarded to South Lancs. Tender awards are usually based on which operator will do the work for the lowest price.
South Lancs will also be operating evening journeys on service 614.
Chris.