It shows up on the Traffic Commissioners’ local bus service registration data available via bustimes.org.
https://bustimes.org/registrations/PD1126532/17
Their constant VERY early running on the 500 suggests otherwise. Buses often running 10 minutes early because they can't be bothered waiting at timing points is all too common.
To be fair, the 500 is excessively padded. You could easily run a 35-40 minute service on a constant loop with 1 bus. That'd be much easier and save a lot of money. I'd also merge the 500 and 501 to be the same operator so then it's a consistent op through the day even with the route variation. But hey, council staff know best and we should all bow to their superiority.
I really hope it does still operate. There are plenty of people that want to go from Hanley or Newcastle to Drayton.
Does not the Shropshire news release referred to in post #1,004 above not say that the Council is taking on funding the whole route?
I similarly hope so. I feel like this section lost it's way because not only is it at the extreme end of the network and so unless the buses left Shrewsbury very early, or got back very late, you will always struggle to hit demand at the Stoke end of the route. Bar the few villages too, there is a lot of fields between Market Drayton and Newcastle. Then from Newcastle to Hanley you are relying on the distance passengers really because no one is going to use Arriva over First or D&G unless they already have a multi operator ticket but even then they are likely to stick to what is familiar and the bigger operators in the area.
I read it as Shrewsbury to Market Drayton is kept. It wouldn't be appropriate for Shropshire Council to fund the Market Drayton to Stoke section as this section is almost entirely in Staffordshire and City of Stoke council areas.
Post #1044 refers to a news release by Shropshire County Council that it will be subsidising existing route 64 between Shrewsbury and Market Drayton, i.e. within Shropshire. The section of route 64 east of Market Drayton is almost entirely within Staffordshire, so it would primarily be the responsibility of Staffordshire County Council to subsidise this part of the current service if they wish to retain it.
The 64/X64 years ago was jointy run Midland Red/PMT then Arriva/First Potteries, which allowed more earlier /later journeys from Stoke-on-Trent.
That got me thinking as I thought the hourly service was a more modern development and that it was a two hourly affair and checking the Great British Timetable (thanks to Timetable World)...
I think I mainly admire the fact that they often swoop in when other operators drop routes, and they genuinely seem like they care for the community.
The three Arriva double deckers 4489-4491 were taken off the 38 during Covid and never returned.Those three were delivered new for that route and were later refurbished to Sapphire standard.The last double deckers at D&G Bus were three DAF 250s that came when D&G repurchased the Wardle Transport operation at Longton from Arriva in May 2015.They mainly did football services and the 16 Hanley-Leek service.
D&G do not go out of their way to compete with First Potteries.They have always added routes that First Potteries have dropped or reduced in frequency,and also gaining Council tendered work.A few years ago First Potteries stabled a handful of buses at the Crewe D&G Bus depot and they were washed and fuelled there for the early/late journeys on the Hanley-Crewe route.
D&G Bus ran on the 64 between Hanley and Market Drayton a few years ago to replace journeys after Arriva had cut the frequencies.They didnt last that long.....
I think D&G probably will open an outstation in Shrewsbury since they won a handful of local routes (20/23/26) and two interurban routes (64/558 to Montgomery)
I remember riding a Saphire Decker on the 38 when I visited Crewe during October 2020.
That sort of service filling in a few trips on a core interurban route will never work though without funding. People will always stick with the established operator and core timetable and ignore the infill trips.
As far as I know the PMT buses started and finished their duties from the D&G Depot at Crewe so assumed the drivers lived local.The last few Evora buses for D&G were delivered in white and were painted at PMT Adderley Green depot. D&G Bus staff passes can be used on First Potteries buses and vice versa so assume a good relationship between them.
Does this mean the Market Drayton - Hanley stretch is no more?
Well that didn't last long!
Please could you advise if you hear any more on what's happening with the no.1? Thanks.
The Newport Lane bus link project will open up a southern exit to the current dead-end Middleport area and hopefully recast the 94/98/99 into something more diverse and useful for the area.
34 is still a cracking bus, really quick. 35 and 38 not so much, 38 is still good though. 113 is extremely unreliable constantly breaking down and isn't the best hence why it's not out that often.
Those versas were returned to optare as they were leased apparently. There was 13 returned in total. The local paint shop is going to be busy
Councillor Karen Shore, Deputy Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council and Cabinet Member for Transport and Highways, said:
Cllr ShoreWe know how important good local bus services are to residents, helping people access work, education, healthcare, shops and leisure opportunities.
The revised service will operate hourly, with much longer operating hours, the new Saturday journey destinations will allow longer dwell times in Winsford Town Centre and provides better connections across the wider area including rail stations for onward travel.
By working closely with D&G Bus, we've identified a practical and cost-effective way to maintain and enhance a circular bus service for Winsford while delivering additional benefits for passengers. This approach makes better use of existing resources, provides improved links to rail services and neighbouring towns, and represents good value for money.
We're committed to supporting sustainable and accessible public transport, and this 12-month trial will help us understand how residents use the enhanced service while ensuring Winsford remains connected to the wider bus network.
The service will deliver a number of wider benefits, including better integration with the existing bus network, easier-to-understand timetables and improved connections through Service 37 and the wider D&G Bus network.
Any need for it to be a W7 why not kust give its old Arriva route number
