Route History

[Gillmoss 0324]

RE: Route History

(21/05/2019 13:03)MTL0201 Wrote:  Actually come to that, my 1988 bus map shows there was a couple of North Western circulars 401/402 & 403/404 these were
401/402 City City Centre-Huyton Circular via whole of the current 8 & 9 to Pilch Lane via Woodfall Heath & Huyton, then Thingwall Hall Drive & Thomas Lane & via the 61 to City Centre
403/403 City Centre-Lodge Lane Circular via 86 to Upper Parliament Street, 26/27 to Kensington & 10 to City Centre

I thought the 401/402 was a innovative attempt at competition in East Liverpool/Huyton and arguably even now provided some good high frequency links to most parts in that general area. The only downside of that was the Carlyle/Sherpa breadvan's which were seriously cramped and wouldn't want a standing load on board/to stand on, which sometimes happened.

I remember the 403/404 but didn't use it and don't think it was as successful as the 401/402. It was also interesting that Merseybus didn't really respond to this either as unlike when Amberline began their A2 minibus service to Speke via the 82 corridor and the Merseymini M2 appeared, there wasn't really any similar move by Merseybus with Merseymini services on Prescot/Picton Road and don't remember the 9's/10's or 78/79's having fare cuts and upped frequencies like they did against Fareway and Liverline either.

Again it was the Crosville pull out which opened the door to North Western getting established in East/South Liverpool. However I always felt they only really had a major presence when they began their 10A's and made the acquisitions of Liverline and Amberline in 1993.