Ah so they haven't used a defunct company name like many other parts of the country
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Stagecoach Merseyside Cheshire and South Lancashire
- Thread starter CICERO55
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I’ve just had a look and it was renamed way back in 1991, as was Hampshire Bus to Stagecoach (South) Limited which was another very early takeover by Stagecoach
Maybe there was later a policy change to not rename the actual legal company for later acquisitions hence why you’ve still got Yorkshire Traction, Thames Transit, Greater Manchester Buses South etc
WibbleWobble
Member
I once heard that the old names were retained as legal names by Brian Souter in case the business was sold on, as otherwise another party would have a business with "Stagecoach" in the name.
That would make sense as Arriva in Midlands still had Stevensons of Uttoxeter and Wardle Transport as legal names
gray1404
Established Member
I'm glad the X2 is studying as is. It is a reliable bus service when it is not subject to traffic delays the Liverpool end.
JasonL
Member
I can't see the X2 transferring over to Gillmoss. It would look strange for a bus in Metro livery to be in Preston.
Not really, as for example Bee Network routes go to Warrington and Huddersfield why couldn't a Mersey metro route go to Prestonbearing in mind well over half if not more of the Route is in the Metro area (eg Liverpool - Crossens)
It's based at Chester having recently been repainted into the new livery in Rock Ferry depot
Wasn't sure not tracked in a while and last of the Allison gearbox ones at Chester with the others moving Gillmoss
Prestonrail
Member
- Joined
- 6 Dec 2018
- Messages
- 7
Rumours say CNL stagecoach have taken over Preston and Chorley depot is this true?
markymark2000
On Moderation
It is true insofar as CNL now manages Preston and Chorley depots. Currently though the routes and buses are still operating under the Ribble operators licence because Stagecoach rushed through the management division change, and didn't think to make that change, happen on the same date that they register the services to change over.
Prestonrail
Member
- Joined
- 6 Dec 2018
- Messages
- 7
Thank you for the information
Is that why bustimes is still showing all depots under Merseyside
I know Gillmoss and Birkenhead are under Manchester did Chester also go?
I know Gillmoss and Birkenhead are under Manchester did Chester also go?
WibbleWobble
Member
Because Bustimes uses Bus Open Data which is linked to the license the service is registered on.
markymark2000
On Moderation
The reason for this is that the data for Preston and Chorley is still under the Merseyside dataset, using the Merseyside operator code (SCMY). Why this is still the case, is unknown for certain, but given that Preston festive times are on the MCSL part of Stagecoach website, and given that the services still aren't yet registered on the CNL licence, it looks as if MCSL is just babysitting the services for now until all of the registrations get done and moved to CNL. Though someone is welcome to correct me if I am wrong.
The whole change is a disorganised mess with most internal systems still not sorted out to take account of the change. Even the employee app is not fully sorted to account for the changes. It was all very rushed, hopefully it settles down in the new year and things get sorted now that cumbria has added Preston to it's operators licence.
Chester moved into the Manchester & Merseyside divisions yes.
Stagecoach MS&SL surly doesn't exist so can't babysit as such ?
markymark2000
On Moderation
Internal Blink (kind of works social media) still shows MCSL and the website still shows MCSL. Preston updates are still being posted on the MCSL social media.
This is what I mean, it's a complete mess and I don't think anyone, including internally, actually knows what is going on and I know drivers aren't being given any concrete information on the changes. This should have all been done in one 'big bang' change. Registrations change, management change, social media changes, website, internal details etc all changed on one day.
But that would mean logic which talking from experience Stagecoach doesn't usually
Will Ribble licence just vanish or be retained by another opco? And is Glenvale still a active licence?
WibbleWobble
Member
Not much will happen initially as the Cumbria and North Lancs license will need (1) the vehicle authorisation increased and (2) the depots adding as operating bases.
Same will apply with the Manchester license.
It may take a while as there would need to be some hefty increases which may grab the attention of the Commissioner who may want to take a closer look to ensure everything is in order. This is quite routine.
Same will apply with the Manchester license.
It may take a while as there would need to be some hefty increases which may grab the attention of the Commissioner who may want to take a closer look to ensure everything is in order. This is quite routine.
markymark2000
On Moderation
That bit is already done. Confirmed in last weeks notices & proceedings that Cumbria and North Lancs (officially Stagecoach North West) had been granted use of an additional operating centre and discs at Preston and Chorley depots. Next step is registering the routes to change. Which I thought would be done in early or late Januarys changes.
This depends on if they are wanting to merge the operators licences. Preston is the only one which needs sorting short term. Especially with franchising coming up, you don't want to faff around deregistering routes on the Ribble licence, to then re-register them onto a larger operating licence for a year, then deregister them to franchising. Nothing stops Merseyside and Manchester division operating as 2 separate legal entities (same as West/Oxfordshire is 1 management division but legally trades separately).
paddyb6
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- 21 May 2018
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Last edited:
ServiceUpdatesArticle
www.stagecoachbus.com
Northerngirl
Member
Amazing to see the 23 coming back to a usable route, shame its not going to Cheshire oaks I feel that would be a massive boost for it
markymark2000
On Moderation
I think the only reason that the 23 is being boosted is because of developer funds from the Hooton housing developments. Either that or it's conveniently to do with the fact the route goes through both the Leader of the Council and Deputy Leader of the councils wards. There is no good reason for the 23 to be made so frequent when the patronage isn't there.
Looks like the timetable is going to be poor too for Neston users, as there is now 10 minutes extra given from Willaston to Neston (you now get longer to go from Willaston to Neston than Neston to Willaston, despite the return trip plodding around Little Neston..... The mind boggles) so anyone travelling from Ellesmere Port/Hooton/Willaston to Little Neston will get the pleasure of sitting around in Neston Town Centre for at least 10 minutes waiting for the return trip to start.
The 23C route that is being brought in too is a waste of time, money and effort. I appreciate it's using up dead time, but the areas don't need that level of service and it will be just yet another example of Cheshire West Council refusing to apply logic to tenders. Resource would be far better used by making the route so it runs via Little Neston in both directions, and extending to Parkgate to massively improve access.
Extending to Cheshire Oaks probably wouldn't do anything given the operating hours and the demographic of the population along the route, and the areas where there would be demand to/from the Oaks, already have the 1/X1. The Oaks demand for public transport isn't what it was a few years ago. Their large increase in parking spaces (alongside the deterioration of the core bus services) has really helped to push people back into their cars. And that much was evident through Christmas when the 3 main car parks were full, the Coliseum was filling up, and there were 2 queues all the way back to the Kinsey Road, yet very few people were boarding/alighting buses.
WibbleWobble
Member
It only operates weekdays anyway currently
23/23A/23C timetable from 30 March 2026: