Stagecoach MCSL - Chester & Wirral Depots

[Turbostar]

RE: Stagecoach Chester & Wirral
I've used the X8 fairly regularly since it started & from what I've seen, it's quiet in the morning peak northbound and evening peak southbound. Conversley, I've often seen the first southbound working up to half full, but it's fair to say that as a commuter service, it doesn't appear to have taken off.

The trouble is that for end to end journeys, unless you want to save money, the train is quicker & more frequent between Chester & Liverpool and off peak, the difference in cost (80 pence difference between a Dayrider Plus and a Merseyrail DaySaver) is negligible

However, on occasions when I've used mid-day services, i've found them to be quite well loaded - mainly with shoppers to/from Cheshire Oaks & Chester. There are a small number of people from the Hoole Road area who also use the service that seem to appreicate it being there.

I think the addition of the Shore Road stop will help with loadings but as a commuter service, I can see it struggling for a while yet. I would suggest a faster morning service from Chester to Liverpool that avoids Cheshire Oaks (there's little business to be had there prior to 9am on most days) and possibly some tidying up with regard to stopping patterns on the Wirral (the peak hour Bromborough diversion causes some confusion & I've seen a few unwary customers being carted to Bridle Road).

One thing that seems to have gone quiet - this service was set up with the intention of having through fares available from the local rail operators. Has any more come of this?