https://www.gov.uk/government/statistica...r-journeys

Compared to 14/15:

Halton - 0.3 million INCREASE
Cheshire East - 0.3 million INCREASE
Cheshire West - No change
Blackburn with Darwen - No change
Blackpool - 0.3 million DECREASE
Cumbria - 0.8 million DECREASE
Merseyside - 0.9 million DECREASE
Warrington - 1 million DECREASE
Lancashire - 2.5 million DECREASE
Greater Manchester - 8.1 million DECREASE

Obviously 0.3m increase in Halton is more impressive than the same figure for Cheshire East and 1 million decrease in Warrington is much worse than 0.9 million decrease in Merseyside due to the difference in population between areas.

It's common to see uniformed police getting on buses in Greater Manchester and I've noticed they are able to get on for free understandably so.

But is this down to bus company/tfgm policy or just goodwill from the driver? I hope it's both to be honest.

Same goes for drivers of rival companies, is that like a comradery thing aka good will or company/tfgm policy?

Morning all,

Noted in the yard of Fusco Coaches this morning at 05:50 was the Liberal Democrats's General Election campaign 'battle bus'. Unfortunately I couldn't ID it, except to say that it was a Van Hool double decker.

Arriva have lost a number of their local bus service contracts that were up for re-tender.

Can anyone tell me about the operations if the excursion coaches for the cruise ships at Liverpool

Not seen a thread specifically about what the election of the Metro Mayors to the Liverpool City Region & Greater Manchester areas......what does it mean for bus services in said areas? Over to the board!

This has been briefly mentioned in the Arriva Winsford thread but I think it's worthy of it's own thread.

Cheshire East are proposing a £1.5m cut in funding from the next financial year, which is 43% of the current funding.

The proposals include withdrawing the 200 service and withdrawing the 130 Sunday and BH service.
http://www.wilmslow.co.uk/news/article/1...ly-service

If I understand what the Knutsford Guardian have said here: http://www.knutsfordguardian.co.uk/news/...on_saving/ the 27, 88 and 289 will all be withdrawn and an E1 will run Altrincham-Wilmslow-Knutsford-Macclesfield every 2 hours and be interworked with an E2 which will run Altrincham-Wilmslow-Knutsford-Northwich every 2 hours!

There will also be cuts to the 300 evening and Saturday subsided service (the weekday day time service is commercial.)

I thought it was worth having a dedicated thread to keep track of all of the buses which have been repainted into the new liveries

"Premium"
Double deck: 4402/9

"Standard"
Single deck: 696/7, 725, 2697/9, 2900
Double deck: 4401/13

Any others I've missed?

Not sure who the bus belonged to but it's been reported only a driver was on board who escaped unhurt.

Halton Transport have also put their fares up along with Arriva.