Warrington's Own Buses

[Valandil]

RE: WBT Network Warrington

(14/04/2016 18:28)knutstransport Wrote:  Prior to GHA starting Northwich-Warrington services there were more 45 services than 46 services. Part of the 46 service fulfils a contract NW have with Cheshire West council so I think they just ran enough on the 46 route to fulfil that contract.

The 289 service provides an infrequent service between Wincham and Northwich via Lostock Gralam, as well as what the 45 provides so I imagine to be of most benefit to passengers the 46 should run the hours when the 289 runs so that there's at least 1 Wincham-Northwich service every hour. Although, as GHA currently have the 289 contract I wouldn't be surprised if NW choose to pretend the 289 doesn't exist. I think it should be this year when the 289 contract comes up for renewal so it might transfer to another operator - it does seem to be a route which doesn't stay with the same operator for long.

Thing is though, IIRC the 289 runs every 2hrs 45mins, so it would be a pain to try and co-ordinate with, espc. if Warrington wants to maintain the Warrington to Stockton Heath 'every 10 mins during the day' status.
Achieving an hourly service between Wincham and Northwich wouldn't be possible, but theoretically one every 55 minutes would ... but that might just be a bit weird.
I think the contract for the 46 states that they have to provide a certain number of journeys, which they might not be able to do if they were to run the 46 every 2hrs 45mins.
If the 289 were to go 3-hourly, they might be able to work something out maybe ... ?