I'm glad they've kept them as they're unique and generally good vehicles. One example would be 136, that wasn't going to be repainted but because it's in such good nick for it's age they decided to repaint it and I'm sure that bus is going to live on much longer. Out of all the Solos in the fleet most of the staff say 136 is the best one out of the lot.
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In a way 136 was in need of a repaint as it was in its previous Ross Travel livery, the Chaserider ones were in fleet livery just the older plain red. Nice to see they are looking after their buses though!
I’ve noticed that D&G Versa 159 has been withdrawn. That leaves 158 as the last of the yellow 9 versas.
Definitely yes, High Peak still have 297 that is still in the Ross Travel livery which I find quite interesting. 158 is a great bus and I noticed last year that it has had an interior refurb and has new moquette which is the stock ADL moquette. 158 still has plenty of power for it's age and doesn't rattle like these E200s.
Trainman40083
Established Member
Now I heard a story about 297 in Ross Travel livery. I understood that one of the directors, involved in Wellglade was at a meeting at High Peak. He asked why it was not in fleet livery. I was told about this , when catching the 114. Stuff painting it, it is too reliable to take off this service.. Okay in time, it got taken off by newer buses, but 297 NEVER let me down. Lovely bus, and I miss it. Some days it got a little dirty, but it was there
I've noticed that with Ross Travel's buses. All of them are reliable. 3011 and 3012 at Crewe, reliable. 136 at Longton, reliable.. they're all great vehicles and I presume Ross Travel took great care of them.
Looks like more changes from the end of March. Nothing on D&G website yet (will post once they are) but 12/12A/13, 19/19A, 31 and 37 are filed for variations from 29 March 2026.
To note, the initial 12/12A/13 BSIP funding only ran from 1 October 2025 - 28 March 2026, so it could mean reductions on that route but lets hope not: https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/064670-2025
12/12A/13 - https://www.vehicle-operator-licens...registered-local-bus-services/details/641953/
19/19A - https://www.vehicle-operator-licens...registered-local-bus-services/details/642112/
31 - https://www.vehicle-operator-licens...registered-local-bus-services/details/642118/
37 - https://www.vehicle-operator-licens...registered-local-bus-services/details/642117/
Non D&G news but does effect Cheshire East Council - Belle Vue's 391 will have a Sunday service meaning Poynton will see Sunday bus services for the first time in many years:
Whether this impacts D&G's no. 10 on a Sunday (as Bollington - Macclesfield will have two routes) is a wait and see
To note, the initial 12/12A/13 BSIP funding only ran from 1 October 2025 - 28 March 2026, so it could mean reductions on that route but lets hope not: https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/064670-2025
12/12A/13 - https://www.vehicle-operator-licens...registered-local-bus-services/details/641953/
19/19A - https://www.vehicle-operator-licens...registered-local-bus-services/details/642112/
31 - https://www.vehicle-operator-licens...registered-local-bus-services/details/642118/
37 - https://www.vehicle-operator-licens...registered-local-bus-services/details/642117/
Non D&G news but does effect Cheshire East Council - Belle Vue's 391 will have a Sunday service meaning Poynton will see Sunday bus services for the first time in many years:
Whether this impacts D&G's no. 10 on a Sunday (as Bollington - Macclesfield will have two routes) is a wait and see
Effective date of : 30/03/2029
- someone has made an error somewhere.D&G have filed for changes to 88 (Knutsford - Altrincham via Wilmslow) from 30 March too:
== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==
Service Updates | D&G Bus
www.dgbus.co.uk
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markymark2000
On Moderation
The 102/102A timetable looks a right mess. It's not too confusing the basic routes but in that layout isn't doing them any favours.
Shame that Staffordshire don't combine their resources together on some of the tenders in this area (102/103/104/A) as the services could be significantly nicer for passengers without using more resource.
The 2 all day buses (Curren could provide an hourly Stafford - Eccleshall - Yarnfield - Stone service (split so every 2 hours runs via Woodseaves or via Swynnerton). Journey time is 48 minutes based on existing timetables, giving enough time for an hourly Stone to Walton bus. That then replaces the 102/102A, 432 and most of the 103. Then use your Mon-Fri 8am-4pm bus to do Little Stone, Barlaston, Norton Bridge as required (Replacing the A, 104 and part of the 103).
Some winners and losers but the winners being for the more populated areas getting improved and through links. Very very rough draft of how the resource could be better used can be found in the spoiler.
Shame that Staffordshire don't combine their resources together on some of the tenders in this area (102/103/104/A) as the services could be significantly nicer for passengers without using more resource.
The 2 all day buses (Curren could provide an hourly Stafford - Eccleshall - Yarnfield - Stone service (split so every 2 hours runs via Woodseaves or via Swynnerton). Journey time is 48 minutes based on existing timetables, giving enough time for an hourly Stone to Walton bus. That then replaces the 102/102A, 432 and most of the 103. Then use your Mon-Fri 8am-4pm bus to do Little Stone, Barlaston, Norton Bridge as required (Replacing the A, 104 and part of the 103).
Some winners and losers but the winners being for the more populated areas getting improved and through links. Very very rough draft of how the resource could be better used can be found in the spoiler.
| Stafford | 10:30 | 11:30 | 12:30 | 13:30 |
| Woodseaves | 11:49 | 13:49 | ||
| Eccleshall | 10:50 | 11:58 | 12:50 | 13:58 |
| Yarnfield, Hayeswater | 11:00 | 12:08 | 13:00 | 14:08 |
| Swynnerton | 11:07 | 13:07 | ||
| Stone | 11:18 | 12:18 | 13:18 | 14:18 |
| Stone | 11:22 | 12:22 | 13:22 | 14:22 |
| Walton | 11:27 | 12:27 | 13:27 | 14:27 |
| Stone | 11:32 | 12:32 | 13:32 | 14:32 |
| Stone | 11:36 | 12:36 | 13:36 | 14:36 |
| Swynnerton | 12:48 | 14:48 | ||
| Yarnfield, Hayeswater | 11:46 | 12:54 | 13:46 | 14:54 |
| Eccleshall | 11:56 | 13:04 | 13:56 | 15:04 |
| Yarnfield, Hayeswater | 12:05 | 14:05 | ||
| Stafford | 12:25 | 13:25 | 14:25 | 15:25 |
Martin1988
Member
I've been looking at the timetables for the late evening journeys on the 37 and it seems as though some have a really limited window for connections to and from the 38 at Sandbach. For example there are arrivals off the 38 from Crewe at 2100 and 2200 and then the connecting journeys towards Winsford and Northwich are at either 2104 or 2204. There is a similar situation in the other direction where a 37 arrives into Sandbach at 2101 and then a 38 to Crewe departs at 2105. The last two journeys on the other hand arrive into Sandbach at 2201 and 2301 and then departures towards Crewe are at 2235 and 2335. Similarly I've noticed the last journey on the 38 towards Macclesfield arrives at Sandbach too late for the last 37 towards Winsford. Has there always been such a tight window? I can't remember if the 38 was hourly or half hourly in the evening under Arriva (I'm sure it was the former but I may be wrong) but do remember the timings being more uniform across the evening.
Have Cheshire East Council/D&G maybe assessed that there is a greater opportunity cost for a later 38 journey from Crewe as opposed to an earlier one that would connect in Sandbach with the 37?
Have Cheshire East Council/D&G maybe assessed that there is a greater opportunity cost for a later 38 journey from Crewe as opposed to an earlier one that would connect in Sandbach with the 37?
markymark2000
On Moderation
Arriva 38 from Crewe would arrive at xx:55 and then the 37W (as it was then) departed at xx:04. The other way the 37W got in at xx:01 and the 38 departed at xx:12. There were never any connections available between 37W and 38 towards Macclesfield, or vice versa.
A sunday service would be nice for the 31/37's too.
TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
I think the reason is much more straightforward. They drop from having three vehicles operating to two and that means it take 2h 30 to do a round trip so the early ones have that relatively small window but the later ones don't.
The 37 has a tight round trip time anyway and only 2 mins stand time in Northwich so it is weighted to Sandbach too.
Northwich 49 Rudheath - Weaverham was changed to run out of Macclesfield depot as space was needed at Crewe a few months ago.
Martin1988
Member
Thanks for clarifying this.
I have only been on the 37 a few times (mainly in the Crewe to Northwich direction) and when I have, I've got the impression that Crewe to Sandbach seems to be one of the key passenger flows and then Sandbach to Winsford/Northwich another. Would I be correct on this? Think one of the trips I was the only passenger who went all the way from Crewe to Northwich and on others its only been a handful.
Remember doing a trip in the other direction that involved a bus change at Sandbach to travel towards Crewe and on that occasion, I'm pretty sure that I was the only one transferring ( and that I may have been the only one left on the bus when it arrived at Sandbach). On that occasion I was expecting a half an hour wait at Sandbach but a late running 38 arrived at the same time so I transferred and got on my way immediately.
Is the 31 the more quicker of the two buses to travel between Northwich and Crewe or is it the 37? Or is there not much difference?
The 31 is 30 minutes quicker than the 37
TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
Essentially, the 31 and 37 run to provide a combined and even headway between Northwich and Winsford. The 31 then runs direct to Crewe via Leighton Hospital whilst the 37 heads via Sandbach. Therefore, between Winsford and Crewe, the difference in journey times is 37 (31) and 66 (37) and for the full journey, the 31 is just over an hour whereas the 37 is just over 90 mins which probably explains why most people wouldn't get the 37 between Crewe and Northwich.
I can't recall if the 31 got a frequency uplift in the mid 2000s when they got Kickstart funding and new Centros but otherwise, that pattern has been fairly constant for years.
At its peak both the 31 and 37 were half hourly under Arriva but not full route. The hourly breakdown was (c. 2017):
31 - Crewe to Northwich
31A - Crewe to Winsford
37 - Crewe to Winsford
37A - Sandbach to Northwich
Alongside the 38, Crewe - Sandbach (via Haslington) has been half hourly whilst Crewe - Winsford (via Leighton) was half hourly and Winsford - Northwich was half hourly
Then there were changes in Winsford, which led to the 7A/7C but sped up the 31/37
When COVID hit, the 31 became hourly and 37 hourly between Crewe and Northwich
This remained so until Arriva left and D&G took over. Both are hourly
Cant remember either route having a Sunday service, not in last 10 years anyway
Yes it took me a while to understand the 102/102A timetable as presented.
If I remember correctly, it was 31A and 37A for a while until they changed it to 31W and 37W
Martin1988
Member
Thanks everyone who responded to my earlier posts regarding the 31 and 37
D&G changes from 30 March 2026:
12A (Leighton Hospital to Crewe Business Park) - re-routed between Crewe Bus Station and Crewe Business Park to serve Prince Albert Street, Earle Street (opposite Grand Junction Retail Park), Hungerford Road and Crewe Road. Inbound services operate via Crewe Road, Crewe Railway Station, Nantwich Road and Edleston Road (i.e. a circular in South East Crewe). No changes to 12 or 13. 12A operates Monday-Friday (excluding Bank Holidays):
19/19A (Macclesfield to Prestbury and Whirley Barn) - timetable changes, Whirley Barn reduces from 4x to 3x journeys, Prestbury increases from 7x to 8x journeys:
31 (Crewe to Northwich) - new Sunday and Bank Holidays service:
37 (Sandbach to Winsford) - new Sunday and Bank Holidays service between Sandbach and Winsford only:
All the Sunday 37s will have a 10 minute connection at Sandbach for services to/from Crewe on the 38. All the Sunday 37s will have an 8-minute connection at Winsford for services to/from Northwich on the new 31.
D&G change from 13 April 2026:
86 (Knutsford Circular) - new 1 daily Monday-Friday (excluding Bank Holidays) circular service serving Bexton, Over Peover and Ollerton:
87 (Knutsford to Macclesfield) - route changes to be consistent route all day - no longer serving Bexton or Ollerton:
== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==
Another update:
37 Sandbach - Winsford to go half-hourly Monday-Friday (excluding Bank Holidays) daytime from 30 March 2026:
12A (Leighton Hospital to Crewe Business Park) - re-routed between Crewe Bus Station and Crewe Business Park to serve Prince Albert Street, Earle Street (opposite Grand Junction Retail Park), Hungerford Road and Crewe Road. Inbound services operate via Crewe Road, Crewe Railway Station, Nantwich Road and Edleston Road (i.e. a circular in South East Crewe). No changes to 12 or 13. 12A operates Monday-Friday (excluding Bank Holidays):
19/19A (Macclesfield to Prestbury and Whirley Barn) - timetable changes, Whirley Barn reduces from 4x to 3x journeys, Prestbury increases from 7x to 8x journeys:
31 (Crewe to Northwich) - new Sunday and Bank Holidays service:
37 (Sandbach to Winsford) - new Sunday and Bank Holidays service between Sandbach and Winsford only:
All the Sunday 37s will have a 10 minute connection at Sandbach for services to/from Crewe on the 38. All the Sunday 37s will have an 8-minute connection at Winsford for services to/from Northwich on the new 31.
D&G change from 13 April 2026:
86 (Knutsford Circular) - new 1 daily Monday-Friday (excluding Bank Holidays) circular service serving Bexton, Over Peover and Ollerton:
87 (Knutsford to Macclesfield) - route changes to be consistent route all day - no longer serving Bexton or Ollerton:
== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==
Another update:
37 Sandbach - Winsford to go half-hourly Monday-Friday (excluding Bank Holidays) daytime from 30 March 2026:
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Shauny
Member
It also appears that the 89 will no longer be operating the Pickmere shuttle from 13th April 2026.
Times have also changed on service 89, with Knutsford departures at 0910, 1110, 1310 & 1640, Northwich departures at 1000, 1200, 1400 & 1710.
Times have also changed on service 89, with Knutsford departures at 0910, 1110, 1310 & 1640, Northwich departures at 1000, 1200, 1400 & 1710.
Martin1988
Member
The extra Sunday services on the 31 and 37 are clearly a positive development.
I am intrigued however as to how D&G will work the Sunday 31 given that the service is tied in with the 37 on Monday to Saturday but under the new Sunday timetable, there seems to be quite a gap between a bus arriving into Northwich and then heading back out towards Crewe.
I've also noticed a few instances on the new 37 timetable where vehicles will seemingly have to run light to/from Sandbach at the start and end of service. Would there be any logic in having these journeys operate the full route to/from Crewe or is it more efficient to have the vehicles run light to and from Sandbach?
I am intrigued however as to how D&G will work the Sunday 31 given that the service is tied in with the 37 on Monday to Saturday but under the new Sunday timetable, there seems to be quite a gap between a bus arriving into Northwich and then heading back out towards Crewe.
I've also noticed a few instances on the new 37 timetable where vehicles will seemingly have to run light to/from Sandbach at the start and end of service. Would there be any logic in having these journeys operate the full route to/from Crewe or is it more efficient to have the vehicles run light to and from Sandbach?
I believe the timings for the 31 are to allow connections onto the 37 to/from Northwich.
31 Northwich 0805-0829 Winsford onto 37 Winsford 0839-0917 Sandbach
31 Northwich 0935-0959 Winsford onto 37 Winsford 1009-1047 Sandbach
31 Northwich 1105-1129 Winsford onto 37 Winsford 1139-1217 Sandbach
And So on
37 Sandbach 0917-0951 Winsford onto 31 Winsford 0958-1023 Northwich
37 Sandbach 1047-1121 Winsford onto 31 Winsford 1128-1153 Northwich
37 Sandbach 1247-1321 Winsford onto 31 Winsford 1328-1353 Northwich
And So on
On Sundays, the 37 vehicle starts/ends its day in Winsford - so doubt they would run a Crewe-Winsford short even if it would fit in the schedule.
Based on the huge gaps, I would presume Cheshire West & Chester are paying the larger chunk in subsidy - as it is a waste of resources - unless they are in discussions to use do a Northwich Local service in the gaps without a driver break
Martin1988
Member
Thanks for your really helpful response.
I'm aware that the 37 starts/ends in Winsford on Sunday but on Monday to Saturday there seem to be several journeys that start/end at Sandbach and as such run light to/from the depot. In these instances, can we assume it is deemed more cost effective to run light via the motorway rather than in service via Haslington and Winterley?
I'm aware that the 37 starts/ends in Winsford on Sunday but on Monday to Saturday there seem to be several journeys that start/end at Sandbach and as such run light to/from the depot. In these instances, can we assume it is deemed more cost effective to run light via the motorway rather than in service via Haslington and Winterley?
I have asked D&G about this and suggested extending to/from Crewe, especially as peak times there are longer times between Crewe-Sandbach services which this could help to fill the gaps
TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
That looks like two vehicles, each doing a 2h30 round trip, so I doubt there's very much scope to cram in a Northwich local.
darloscott
Member
Agreed, half hour break every time in Northwich allows the drivers to keep going all day…?