Stagecoach MCSL - Chester & Wirral Depots

[childwallblues]

RE: Stagecoach Chester & Wirral

(01/08/2016 19:36)Dentonian Wrote:  Not sure how this works. Just looked at Manchester to St. Helens (any station) Single (Off-peak) and the cheapest tomorrow or in 19 days time is £7.90! Notwithstanding, I was going to say that apart from access to remote Rail Stations being a major issue for those without a car, a bus ticket for an individual journey or Day's travel is bought on the day. No worrying about if the weather is going to ruin your day; whether you may be ill; whether something else crops up etc. etc. Obviously, regular travellers is a completely different market.

As regards Manchester to Chester, what seems to be a lot of choice on paper, doesn't work out in practice:

NatEx: Reasonably cheap and quick, but effectively only one round trip a day and always fully booked in advance in Summer

Northern Rail: Slow, labouriuos and not very comfortable.

Arriva TW: Very expensive

Virgin/X-Country: Better value but long connection in Crewe and Chester leg full, not least due to Students etc thinking seats are for their suitcases not fare-paying passengers.

As for Runcorn: Since the X3(?) was withdrawn some years ago, I wouldn't know where to start to get there.

A little bit of ingenuity can get you a long way.

Assuming that you are over 60 you can do Runcorn with a train to Warrington and the bus. Similarly for St Helens you can buy a concession Wayfarer (£6) from your local station to Newton-le -Willows and a bus.