D&G Buses

[em81]

In which case, it's probably not as clear cut as you think. For example CWACC see no issue with allocations of double deckers that are marked as being higher than the bridges that they go under, and see no issue with the constant allocation from another operator who keeps using a non complaint PSVAR vehicle. I think it may just be luck or coincidence that the right buses are being allocated. Either that, or D&G know there is more competition for Cheshire West stuff so are better behaved compared to Cheshire East whereby they are almost guaranteed winners on most contracts.

Well it may just be one specific Cheshire West school keeps an eye on their pupils boarding a public bus, and flags to the council if it the number of seats don't meet the minimum capacity.

While the operator and driver should comply with road signs, if you have a case like the canal bridge in the Altrincham area, where a new sign banned the bus that had been operating under it for years, then there should be a valid reason for the updated measurement, not just a metric conversion or rounding making it lower.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 5 Aug 2026 ==

Case in point why is 3019 tracking on the 88 this morning? If that's not a mis-tracking error that definitely doesn't meet the 28 or 35 minimum seating requirement. Looking at earlier journeys it might be because 504 was switched for 5022 a little earlier, but a poor show if your only spare vehicle doesn't meet the contractual requirement of most of the contracts operated out of that depot.

 

[MotCO]

While the operator and driver should comply with road signs, if you have a case like the canal bridge in the Altrincham area, where a new sign banned the bus that had been operating under it for years, then there should be a valid reason for the updated measurement, not just a metric conversion or rounding making it lower

Sometimes, if the road is resurfaced, the available height is reduced, requiring an updated road sign.

 

[em81]

Sometimes, if the road is resurfaced, the available height is reduced, requiring an updated road sign.

You may mean when the council decide not to spend on a proper resurfacing job, and go for the microsurfacing option which sprays a new layer of asphalt over the top of the existing surface. It adds a few cm but shouldn't mean the difference between a bus passing under and it not, given they allow a bit of additional clearance anyway.

If there's a flooding issue then they might need to do more significant work - going beyond what a typical resurface would involve.

 

[duncombec]

For example CWACC see no issue with allocations of double deckers that are marked as being higher than the bridges that they go under,

This is one of those occasions where you've given us a snippet of a story, but nothing that could help identify it, challenge it, or confirm why that may be the case.

Is it a mandatory height restriction or an advisory one? Is there anything included in the contract (if contracted at all)? If tendered, is it specified as a double-deck operation (for the number of seats) and the council is aware as to what is occurring? If they aren't, has anyone actually told them? (By which I mean in a sensible, controlled fashion, not ranting and raving about how they don't do their jobs properly). If a school service is involved, has anyone told the school so they could follow up if they chose to?

 

[em81]

A double decker contracted route would be very unusual. Unless it's school/college contract, or a token service using the vehicle off a school contract.

 

[markymark2000]

This is one of those occasions where you've given us a snippet of a story, but nothing that could help identify it, challenge it, or confirm why that may be the case.

Deliberately, because it's not a D&G issue, it's another operator. I was building specifically on the point that I don't believe CWAC seem as bothered about vehicles complying with spec, or having unsuitable buses on the route as em81 says.

 

[semppec]

What I've been told about deckers is when David Reeves and Gerald Henderson were still at D&G they didn't want deckers because they would be impractical if they would've needed to replace a bus on a route that deckers cannot go on. I know there isn't many bridges on routes really but fair enough I suppose.

 

[em81]

D&G did have a decker at Crewe in the past.

 

[MotCO]

What I've been told about deckers is when David Reeves and Gerald Henderson were still at D&G they didn't want deckers because they would be impractical if they would've needed to replace a bus on a route that deckers cannot go on. I know there isn't many bridges on routes really but fair enough I suppose.

I don't know the area, but am led to believe that there were quite a few long bridges in the Potteries area, so low height double deckers or single deckers were preferred.

 

[TheSel]

I don't know the area, but am led to believe that there were quite a few long bridges in the Potteries area, so low height double deckers or single deckers were preferred.

Yes. Lots of long bridges. But it's their height above the road that tends to be the issue!

 

[capitalpotter]

Yes. Lots of long bridges. But it's their height above the road that tends to be the issue!

Certainly ab issue for Beresford busrs all those years ago. Seemed like they were constantly underneath glebe street bridge

 

[MotCO]

Yes. Lots of long bridges. But it's their height above the road that tends to be the issue!

Doh!

 

[theshillito]

I notice hotspurbus.co.uk and hotspurbus.com were both registered last month. I was assuming the services would be on the D&G site with sub-branding but I guess they're separating them out fully after all? (will the 340 transfer to Hotspur as it's wholly within Shropshire I wonder)

 

[semppec]

Chaserider have had a new arrival which is a mini MMC 5031 which leaves room for 3 smaller MMC's as some numbers have been skipped which may possibly be for Hotspur? I would assume for their smaller routes.

 

[markymark2000]

I notice hotspurbus.co.uk and hotspurbus.com were both registered last month. I was assuming the services would be on the D&G site with sub-branding but I guess they're separating them out fully after all? (will the 340 transfer to Hotspur as it's wholly within Shropshire I wonder)

This is the same as how Chaserider was when it was first started. Everything was on the D&G West Midlands operators licence but was branded separately and on a separate website.

The big thing that I hope is different this time around, is ticket acceptance. There will be multiple connection points between the D&G network and Hotspur network and so I hope that ticket range accommodates such connections.

 

[capitalpotter]

Chaserider have had a new arrival which is a mini MMC 5031 which leaves room for 3 smaller MMC's as some numbers have been skipped which may possibly be for Hotspur? I would assume for their smaller routes.

5011,5012,5214,5215 and 5216 are transferring over to HotSpur. 5031 is there as a replacement and id assume the gap in numbers is for more replacements

 

[SeanM1997]

64 Hanley - Market Drayton - Shrewsbury

We are pleased to announce, Shropshire Council have awarded us the contract to operate the 64 service, from 1st September 2026.​

The service will operate Monday to Saturday, and the route is as per the current Arriva route but we will no longer serve Blackbrook between Baldwins Gate and Ashley.

Timetable can be found HERE

 

[Dfatcontroller]

5011,5012,5214,5215 and 5216 are transferring over to HotSpur. 5031 is there as a replacement and id assume the gap in numbers is for more replacements

5031 is former Falcon Coaches YX18KUT.
5029 & 5030 are brand new E20D YX26NTT & YX26NTU.
5028 is former Adventure Travel, Wales YX64VRD

 

[capitalpotter]

5031 is former Falcon Coaches YX18KUT.
5029 & 5030 are brand new E20D YX26NTT & YX26NTU.
5028 is former Adventure Travel, Wales YX64VRD

Cheers for the information. At least chaserider aren't missing out on new buses then

 

[em81]

Some unusual swaps and allocations today.

MMC 5021 starting on the 88/87 routes then being swapped for slimline Solo 131.

Another Slimline Solo 129 starting on the 130 route before being swapped for 5201.

Solo SRs 3011 and 3013 on the 84X route, and 3018 on the 86/89/N1 routes - usually all 3 allocations are older long Enviro 200s. A vehicle swap put MMC 575 on the 84X in the late afternoon.

Both Enviro 200s which lost their 84X branding were on the 41 route.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 Aug 2026 ==

D&G have added the 64 timetable to their website. No mention of some services being operated by Hotspur or about special ticket arrangements.

 

[SeanM1997]

D&G changes from 1 September 2026:

Service Updates | D&G Bus

www.dgbus.co.uk

Cheshire:

8 Wistaston Green - Sydney & Elm Drive

Following a service review, the route will be changed to only operate between Crewe and Wistaston Green.

Sydney and Elm Driver will be covered by the new 15 service. Timetable for this service can be found HERE

8 Timetable can be found HERE

15 Crewe Circular

New service between Crewe, Sydney and Elm Drive to replace part of the 8 service.

Timetable can be found HERE

31 Crewe - Northwich

There will be no change to the timetable, but the timing point will be removed in Church Minshull and we will be changing the timing point in Glebe Green.

Timetable can be found HERE

37, 37A Crewe - Northwich

Following a service review and support by Cheshire West and Chester Council, we will be making the following changes:

- Retiming some journeys to resolve reliability issues.
- Timing point in Haslington changed.
- New timing point added in Wheelock.
- Short journeys between Sandbach and Winsford will be renumbered to 37A and extended to serve Glebe Green, Over and Grange.
- A new Saturday service will be introduced between Winsford, Glebe Green, Over and Grange. These journeys will operate as a 37A.

Timetable can be found HERE

38 Crewe - Macclesfield

Following a service review, we will be retiming some journeys to resolve reliability issues.

The timing point in Haslington changed, and a new timing point in Wheelock will be added. The timing point in Arclid will be removed due to issues with buses blocking the road when needing to wait time.

Timetable can be found HERE

41 Chester - Whitchurch

Following a service review, we will be retiming some journeys to resolve reliability issues.

Timetable can be found HERE

49 Weaverham - Rudheath

Following a service review, we will be retiming some journeys to resolve reliability issues.

Timetable can be found HERE

82 Northwich - Chester

Following a service review, we will be retiming some journeys to resolve reliability issues.

Timetable can be found HERE

89 Knutsford - Northwich

Following a service review, the timing point in Lostock Gralam changed, with minor changes to the times.

Timetable can be found HERE

94 Newcastle - Congleton

Following a service review, we will be retiming most journeys from Wolstanton to resolve reliability issues.

Timetable can be found HERE

130, 150 Macclesfield - Manchester Airport

Following a service review, we will be retiming some journeys to resolve reliability issues, with revised times between Wythenshawe and Manchester Airport.

Timetable can be found HERE

Greater Manchester:

130, 150 Macclesfield - Manchester Airport

Following a service review, we will be retiming some journeys to resolve reliability issues, with revised times between Wythenshawe and Manchester Airport.

Timetable can be found HERE

Stoke-on-Trent & Staffordshire:

1, 1A, 11 Meir - Wood Lane

Following a service review, we will be retiming some journeys to resolve reliability issues.

Timetable can be found HERE

7, 7A Hanley - Kidsgrove / Biddulph

Following a service review, we will be retiming some journeys to resolve reliability issues.

Timetable can be found HERE

8A Hanley - Endon

Following a service review, we will be retiming some journeys to resolve reliability issues.

Timetable can be found HERE

24 Norton - Newstead

Following a service review, we will be retiming some journeys to resolve reliability issues, with new early morning and late evening journeys to and from Newstead.

Timetable can be found HERE

32, 32A, 32X Hanley - Uttoxeter

Following a service review, we will be retiming some journeys to resolve reliability issues.

Timetable can be found HERE

34 Newcastle - Bradwell

Following a service review, we will be retiming some journeys to resolve reliability issues.

Timetable can be found HERE

35 Newcastle - Chesterton

Following a service review, we will be retiming some journeys to resolve reliability issues. We will also be changing the route in Cross Heath and Chesterton.

Timetable can be found HERE

43 Hanley - Baddeley Green

Following a service review, we will be retiming some journeys to resolve reliability issues, and buses will operate via Bucknall New Road and will no longer serve Northwood.

Timetable can be found HERE

64 Hanley - Market Drayton - Shrewsbury

We are pleased to announce, Shropshire Council have awarded us the contract to operate the 64 service, from 1st September 2026.

The service will operate Monday to Saturday, and the route is as per the current Arriva route but we will no longer serve Blackbrook between Baldwins Gate and Ashley.

Timetable can be found HERE

94 Newcastle - Congleton

Following a service review, we will be retiming most journeys from Wolstanton to resolve reliability issues.

Timetable can be found HERE

95 Biddulph - Audley

Following a service review, we will be making the folloiwng changes:

- Retiming some journeys to resolve reliability issues.
- Wood Lane will no longer be served on peak journeys.
- The afternoon journey terminating in Kidsgrove will now end at Liverpool Road due to changed in the road layout affecting buses turning around using Meadows Road.

Timetable can be found HERE

96 Packmoor - Middleport

This service is withdrawn due to the end of Government funding.

102, 102A Stone - Swynnerton / Norton Bridge

Two journeys will be revised to operate between Eccleshall and Stone via Yarnfield and Swynnerton, also serving Alleyne's Academy on schooldays - this will replace serve 103S operated by Select Bus Services.

Timetable can be found HERE

104 Hanley - Newcastle

Following a service review, we will be retiming some journeys to resolve reliability issues.

Timetable can be found HERE

A Stone - Aston Lodge

This service will be withdrawn, with Chaserider service 151 providing a replacement service between Stone and Aston Lodge.

Chaserider 151 timetable can be found HERE

K Keele Science Park - Chesterton

Following a service review, we will be making changes to the times to improve reliability, and the introduction of a new University Vacation timetable to reflect the reduced demand.

Timetable can be found HERE

Shropshire:

41 Chester - Whitchurch

Following a service review, we will be retiming some journeys to resolve reliability issues.

Timetable can be found HERE

64 Hanley - Market Drayton - Shrewsbury

We are pleased to announce, Shropshire Council have awarded us the contract to operate the 64 service, from 1st September 2026.

The service will operate Monday to Saturday, and the route is as per the current Arriva route but we will no longer serve Blackbrook between Baldwins Gate and Ashley.

Timetable can be found HERE

 

[theshillito]

Not a huge fan of splitting the current 8 into an 8 and a 15. Means paying twice for the same journey if you only need a single. No through ticketing either (confirmed by D&G by email, pointing at their day tickets instead). At least when the £2 cap comes in two singles are cheaper than the Crewe and Nantwich day ticket again.

 

[markymark2000]

Not a huge fan of splitting the current 8 into an 8 and a 15. Means paying twice for the same journey if you only need a single. No through ticketing either (confirmed by D&G by email, pointing at their day tickets instead). At least when the £2 cap comes in two singles are cheaper than the Crewe and Nantwich day ticket again.

Are many people travelling through the bus station on the 8 currently?

 

[semppec]

Are many people travelling through the bus station on the 8 currently?

Lots of the time on the 8s everyone jumps off at the Bus Station and then you end up with another load of passengers for the retail park and you pick up a few around Sydney. It is used, but mainly to get to and from the retail park.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 22 Aug 2026 ==

Not a huge fan of splitting the current 8 into an 8 and a 15. Means paying twice for the same journey if you only need a single. No through ticketing either (confirmed by D&G by email, pointing at their day tickets instead). At least when the £2 cap comes in two singles are cheaper than the Crewe and Nantwich day ticket again.

I quite like the idea that Bee Network have with their hopper tickets. Obviously Bee Network do have better prices than D&G, but allowing you to buy a single and use it on any bus within an hour for no additional cost is a smart idea.

 

[theshillito]

Lots of the time on the 8s everyone jumps off at the Bus Station and then you end up with another load of passengers for the retail park and you pick up a few around Sydney. It is used, but mainly to get to and from the retail park.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 22 Aug 2026 ==


I quite like the idea that Bee Network have with their hopper tickets. Obviously Bee Network do have better prices than D&G, but allowing you to buy a single and use it on any bus within an hour for no additional cost is a smart idea.

Some of my friends and I live on opposite ends of the current 8, but I do assume the majority of everyone else don't stay on past their respective bus station visits save for the retail park perhaps.

As for tickets, I've been to a few places where even paper tickets are actively sold as 60 minute or 90 minute tickets valid across buses (e.g. Stockholm last time I went) so it isn't that uncommon. Would be unusual for a local operator like D&G to do it over networks run by local authorities though. Maybe the new Cheshire and Warrington thing will change that.

 

[Simon75]

Lots of the time on the 8s everyone jumps off at the Bus Station and then you end up with another load of passengers for the retail park and you pick up a few around Sydney. It is used, but mainly to get to and from the retail park.

Ive always thought they could have done alternate Retail park- Sydney - Elm Drive Bus Station, then next one in reverse

 

[Trainman40083]

I noted a Facebook post from the bus and coach centre about how drivers from D&G and High Peak had been down to collect a 66 plated Enviro 200MMC and several former Transdev Optare Versas. Several were in the 464 purple livery, other in the generic livery. Wonder where they will end up?

 

[em81]

I noted a Facebook post from the bus and coach centre about how drivers from D&G and High Peak had been down to collect a 66 plated Enviro 200MMC and several former Transdev Optare Versas. Several were in the 464 purple livery, other in the generic livery. Wonder where they will end up?

They're in service now, and have been discussed on here already. The Versas are at Stoke but two have been loaned to Crewe to cover for the two new MMCs transferring to Shrewsbury. The additional MMC is going to Shrewsbury.

D&G also have a plain white slimline mini Solo on loan at the Macclesfield depot. It has 25 seats crammed into a small space, with the seats being the same type as on the Belle Vue Versas, that used to be the TfGM school buses.

I've also noticed a plain white 64 reg Enviro 200 has appeared on the bus times fleet list, it's been given fleet number 5028 and is tracking on the 12 route today.

 

[38291018]

Looks like 3 of the buses are in the hotspur livery and found 2 pictures via the bustimes edit history
Picture of the front/side of YX25 OJJ 5011
Picture of the front of YY26 NTU 5030

 

[cnjb8]

I noted a Facebook post from the bus and coach centre about how drivers from D&G and High Peak had been down to collect a 66 plated Enviro 200MMC and several former Transdev Optare Versas. Several were in the 464 purple livery, other in the generic livery. Wonder where they will end up?

They're in service now, and have been discussed on here already. The Versas are at Stoke but two have been loaned to Crewe to cover for the two new MMCs transferring to Shrewsbury. The additional MMC is going to Shrewsbury.

D&G also have a plain white slimline mini Solo on loan at the Macclesfield depot. It has 25 seats crammed into a small space, with the seats being the same type as on the Belle Vue Versas, that used to be the TfGM school buses.

I've also noticed a plain white 64 reg Enviro 200 has appeared on the bus times fleet list, it's been given fleet number 5028 and is tracking on the 12 route today.

I believe the E200MMC is ex-Moffat & Williamson SN66WHR, which is yet to enter service