Stagecoach Manchester and Wigan

[SF07]

RE: Stagecoach Manchester

(10/08/2012 08:05)Nicholas Wrote:  There already is a 76 evening service, it just doesn't do the full route! The only downside the the new timetable is that the 10 minute service doesn't extend into the peaks in order to make allowances for the 74, which will start earlier in the afternoon. Personally, I don't see much point in the 74 as surely there isn't that much traffic to/from Woodhouses, I feel it would make more sense to run an enhanced service through to Oldham to take more peak traffic off First.

I agree with the 74, most of the people on the 74 will travel between Manchester and Failsworth only and when the 74 used to run to Hollinwood in the afternoon, most people that was still on the 74 wanted to get off along Westminster Road rather than Woodhouses. However, looking on Traveline, Stagecoach will be starting the 74 earlier at 2.55pm (currently 4.25pm) and then every 30 mins until 5.25pm, which means finishing earlier (morning journeys the same except the last two journeys run 5 mins earlier).

Personally, I too would rather see Stagecoach run a frequent 76 service to/from Oldham rather than terminating/starting at Hollinwood or Woodhouses. 76 might be about 15 mins longer than the 180/184 (or the 83) but that might not be a big deal if you want to pay cheaper fares (£6 less for a weekly and £14 for a monthly).

(09/08/2012 21:35)P528LND Wrote:  Personally I think if it takes off well enough, we might see the end of the 78 tender and the 76 become an evening service also.

I wouldn't be surprised if the 78 did get withdrawn in the future and the 76 (or perhaps an extended 74 if TfGM wants Woodhouses, Hollinwood and Coppice still to be served) runs a full evening/Sunday service to/from Oldham.