GHA Group (Bryn Melyn, Vale Travel + Others)

[djb]

RE: GHA Group (Bryn Melyn, Vale Travel + Others)

(31/05/2016 18:43)knutstransport Wrote:  Thank you for asking for my opinion on what improvements could be made to the 27 timetable.

I think what immediately stands out is that if you're working normal office hours in Knutsford but live in Ollerton/Chelford/Macclesfield then the bus times aren't really suitable for getting to and from work. An arrival in Knutsford between 08:00 and 08:30 and a departure between 17:30 and 18:00 would change that. I'd also say that while a 17:45 from Macclesfield would suit the needs of most commuters who work in Macclesfield, the lack of a later departure rules out the possibility of doing overtime and with Macclesfield has a number of businesses in the digital industry where being able to do some overtime at the end of the day is seen as an advantage to employers.

Another point to consider is the fact the route serves Macclesfield Hospital, reducing the gap between services in the morning and evening would also suit people who use the bus to go to appointments at the hospital. Visiting times at the hospital are 2.00pm - 4.00pm and 7.00pm – 8.00pm, the current bus times meet the needs of people who want to visit a patient during the afternoon but for someone who works full time Mon-Fri there's no option of using a bus for the evening visiting hours so they'd have to wait until Saturday unless they have a car or can get a lift.

Personally I think one reason more under 60s don't go from Knutsford to Macclesfield for shopping trips more is because most buses follow a slow round the houses route, whereas some other towns have more direct public transport links from Knutsford. Obviously Over Peover should have public transport links but I'm not sure it needs a service most hours when speeding up the service might make it more attractive for end-to-end leisure use.

If there was a possibility of an extra bus in the timetable, what about an split mid route. You've got 2 tourist destinations in jodrell and capesthorne close to the route, but not served by public transport. Running macclesfield (or knutsford) to say holmes chapel/middlewich via these destinations would offer multiple new links as well as increasing frequency on the existing portion of route.