(05/06/2018 20:03)iMarkeh Wrote:  I never noticed that on the timetables at Knutsford and I couldn't find a specific timetable online to work out how it could possibly work. Interesting how far Holmeswood are coming just for school and contract work? It will be likely they all work together if they have contracts in the area.
I'm sure the services were every 20 minutes not every few minutes. It wouldn't hurt D&G to have a decker though. They could use it on the 188, Barclays and as a shuttle or lunch bus at Knutsford inbetween.
If there were more buses to more destinations, would that possibly help the fact of everyone arriving into Knutsford train station? For example use an 89 to extend there. Save everyone arriving in one place therefore reducing the crowding. I suppose you also have to look at the fact D&G can have standing passengers whereas Holmeswood can't on their coaches.
D&G Could have 1 decker running every 20 minutes and have 2 normal buses. If they run hourly on the 27, then they will cater for Macclesfield and Chelford. I think the whole Barclays network needs to look at more destinations rather than more trips to Knutsford. If you find out where the workers are coming from, a few trips from further destination will probably be more beneficial.
Wilmslow could just be one extended 88, Northwich could be an 89A (Northwich, Lostock Gralam, Plumley, Radbroke Hall, Knutsford), Macc and Chelford on the 27. Crewe already has it's own coach already. All of this could reduce how many trips are needed. The 88, 89A and 27 could all work with D&Gs existing buses but it reduces the amount they would have to pay out for special coaches as only Crewe journeys would be needed.

(06/06/2018 08:52)knutstransport Wrote:  Are you forgetting Holmeswood have depots in Anderton (Northwich) and Congleton? https://www.holmeswoodcoaches.com/depots.html There probably isn't another operator with a depot closer to St Nicholas High School, which is where one of the services they run to Knutsford originates from.

There used to be more than one coach used on the Knutsford to Radbroke Hall shuttles but that may have changed. Someone told me that Barclays had reduced the number of people from India who get put up in accommodation in Altrincham/South Manchester and increased the number in Macclesfield but when I posted that previously (when Howards were running the 27) 'The H Man' said there had been no noticeable change in the number of passengers using the 27.

I made the point about one big bus with a slight route diversion being better than 88 and 188 services at similar times when Cheshire East did the bus consultation but that fell on deaf ears. The very far point of the 188 is near Mobberley station, so there's not really much point in running a bus that far out!

I'm not sure the 89A idea would be a good one. It would probably take over half an hour and not serve any of the places which needs the 89 - Knutsford, Lostock and Northwich have an alternative faster train, the bus is really for those who get to get to/from Tabley, Pickmere and Wincham who don't have an alternative train. While I said there's overcrowding on the trains it's between Altrincham and Knutsford in the morning and between Knutsford and Altrincham in the evening. The trains between Knutsford and Northwich rarely have more passengers than seats, except if there's been disruption or if there's a special event on e.g. Chester Races.

(20/06/2018 05:46)M60lad Wrote:  Maybe just maybe Knutsfordtransport the original bus that you were on was due an Inspection or needed back at the depot for another reason and it was swapped at Knutsford as that was probably the closest place on route for it to be swapped.

It does happen to other operators as well, I remember being on a MCT 217 from Ashton-Manchester once and we had a vehicle swap at Alan Touring Way (Etihad Stadium), obviously Levenshulme needed the current vehicle on it back for some reason.

(01/06/2018 23:53)iMarkeh Wrote:  The whole Wincham thing is a mess. I don't think D&G know about their fuel rebate. Removing that last Northwich bound trip rather than cutting it at Wincham and all the buses running dead to Wilmslow (despite the fact they pass Knutsford bus station to get there). They could just have an 88X running the same way they run NIS. Difference being they could get 1 passenger. It is a few quid more than they are getting running NIS and even if you get no one, you get the 30% fuel rebate. That could save the council some money (Given 2 buses start at Wilmslow. 1 starts in Macclesfield and the other in Northwich). Though each day the amount of rebate might be low, in the end, it all adds up. The council could possibly create another route with the savings by having placement routes.

(20/06/2018 09:51)knutstransport Wrote:  Based on an email I've seen from TSS it seems the TC is monitoring the punctuality on the 88/89 services, which is the primary reason for the extra time being added in to the timetable. I guess the axing of the 88A will mean the 88 will likely have more tickets/passes to issue/scan between Wilmslow and Knutsford as well.

It seems the withdrawal of the last Knutsford-Northwich is because D&G and Cheshire East have agreed a later Knutsford-Macclesfield service should be more viable than the last Knutsford-Northwich, so Peter is being robbed to pay Paul. However, it does mean one bus will have to run back to Wincham from Macclesfield at the end of the day, instead of from Northwich. Even if they envisage the driver at least sometimes taking the bus back via Lower Peover and Plumley, why not run it in passenger service as far as Chelford.

In the case of why won't they run the 17:50 Altrincham to Knutsford in service to Wincham, perhaps D&G no longer want the council to get the impression that services will continue to run if the council stop funding them?

(20/06/2018 23:17)iMarkeh Wrote:  This is what I mean. It is mental how they are running it. All the dead millage. As I said, the 30% fuel rebate though it isn't a lot, it could reduce the cost to the council in a roundabout sort of way. Plus if 1 person uses it, that is £2-£3 back into the pot to keep funding the service or to fund a different service. At the end of the day, the more money a councils gets coming in, the more it can spend.

As the 88 is fully funded, it is unlikely to be ran commercially. It could go under DeMinims if D&G found profitable areas. It all helps to put money back into the council. I suppose it isn't just a D&G issue, it is a CEC issue as they also haven't thought of the dead millage but at the same time, when it went out to tender, they need it to not show favour to any company but now D&G have the contract, it is certainly something they should be looking into.

Regarding the Macc dead millage, there should be an 88X. An 88 to Chelford then carries on through Ollerton straight up to Knutsford then as an 89 to Wincham. Even that would help. Same route a driver would run. Difference being it is in service possibly making money.