Stagecoach Northwest Explorer

[ashworth]

Are Stagecoach North West Explorer tickets still available as I cannot find any information about them on their website?
I can find mentions about Megariders, Dayriders and even Goldriders but no information about the 7 Day Explorer Ticket that I have had in past years and has covered travel throughout the whole of the North West.

For the past few years I have stayed with friends in Blackpool and have made use of a 7 Day NW Railrover in conjunction with a 7 Day NW Explorer which for a total of just under £100 has made a great 7 day holiday of travelling around Lancashire and Cumbria plus with the railrover large parts of Yorkshire, Cheshire and Merseyside and slightly beyond in some areas.

 

[Polarbear]

Not sure about the weekly tickets but they still do a 1 day explorer for £9.75. Hope that's of some use?

I agree that the information is somewhat had to find on the website though. It does take a bit of rooting around to find any reference to the explorer tickets.

 

[mbonwick]

Explorers are interesting things. You can only purchase them on Stagecoach Cumbria buses, but they are vaild throughout the North West.
Megariders are only valid in Lancashire, can be issued from Stagecoach Lancshire buses, or Stagecoach Cumbria buses in Lancashire (route 555/556). Dayriders are the single day version.

Goldriders are Cumbria's monthly tickets, vaild only on Stagecoach Cumbria services.

Hope this is of use.

 

[ashworth]

I've just had an email back from Stagecoach in Preston.
North West Explorer tickets are still available at £9.75 for one day, £21.50 for 4 days and £30 for 7 days.
They are available on the bus from the driver both on Stagecoach buses in Lancashire and Cumbria.

When I have used them in the past they have also ben valid on Stagecoach throughout Manchester but they cannot be purchased within the Manchester area. I am sure this won't have changed.

Why are these excellent value tickets not advertised by Stagecoach?

 

[cainebj]

NW explorers are only available from the driver these days.
they are often advertised at bus stops around the Lake District as "Bargain Bus Travel".
they all Stagecoach routes in Cumbria & Lancashire, and are also accepted on the Stagecoach operated journeys of the 685 from Carlisle to Newcastle (note that the 685 is a joint service between Stagecoach and Arriva. Arriva DO NOT accept the NW Explorer, however they accept Stagecoach return tickets).

the NW Explorers, as mbonwick mentioned, are mostly publicised in Cumbria, but are available from all Stagecoach North West vehicles.

 

[mbonwick]

Yes, Lancashire bus drivers (outside of Preston) are almost certain to not have a clue what you're on about if you ask for an explorer - they really only issue megariders. The explorer is still available though.

 

[ashworth]

Yes, Lancashire bus drivers (outside of Preston) are almost certain to not have a clue what you're on about if you ask for an explorer - they really only issue megariders. The explorer is still available though.

I will see what happens in a few weeks time when I board a Stagecoach bus in Blackpool and ask for a 7 Day North West Explorer.

 

[driver9000]

Im sure it hasnt changed since 2005 the NW Explorer is also valid into Scotland on Carlisles Dumfries/Annan services.

All drivers who have half an idea on the fares/passes will know what an explorer is, regardless of where they are in the North West.

Good luck and happy travelling.

 

[mbonwick]

driver9000 - yes the Scotland validity still applies.

ashworth - make sure to check your ticket as soon as you get it to ensure you haven't been given a megarider.

 

[cainebj]

this topic kinda ended a while ago, but yesterday (today to me), i boarded a Carlisle Citi service, and asked for a "Day Explorer", as I always ask for it on the Lillyhall vehicles, and the driver wasnt totally sure what i was on about. he asked me to repeat what i wanted, and then he told me the price for me to confirm that the ticket was correct before issuing. he seemed more used to issuing Carlisle Day Rider and Carlisle Mega Rider tickets.

 

[ashworth]

Just got back from Lancashire and had no problems purchasing and using a 7 Day North West Explorer.
I bought the ticket on the X61 on my first journey from Blackpool to Chorley. The driver seemed really pleased to be selling me this. He was very surprised when I asked for it and said it was a long time since he last sold one of those.

To put a few facts more clearly following up some of the earlier posts they are available from driver on all Stagecoach buses in Lancashire and Cumbria.
You can also use them on Stagecoach buses in Manchester but cannot purchase them there.
Going slightly outside the area they are valid on the X2 service to Liverpool from Preston but not on any other services in Liverpool.
According to a leaflet I picked up at Preston Bus Station they are valid on all Carlisle-Newcastle buses including those operated by Arriva. There are a very small number of jointly operated services where other companies accept them including Kendal to Penrith. However, on most other joinly operated servces they are not accepted by other operators.

Interestingly Stagecoach North West have recently begun to advertise Explorer tickets on their website. This is after about 5 years of all reference to them being completely absent. Could this be a result of my email to Stagecoach in Preston pointing this out to them and asking if they are indeed still available and at what price?

 

[driver9000]

Glad you had a good trip ashworth! the NW Explorer is fantastic value if you get the use out of it!

 

[ashworth]

I'm bringinging up my old thread from almost a year ago because now that I am planning getting one of these tickets again this summer I notice that there have been some major changes.

The North West Explorer is still available as a 1 Day (£9.75) and 4 day (£22) versions but the 7 Day (£30) ticket is no longer available.
Replacing this is a new 7 Day North West Megarider Gold ticket costing £24.
Therefore the 4 Day version is not really worth buying unless you are absolutely limited to 4 consecutive days and want to save £2.

All of these tickets cover the same area including all Stagecoach services in Lancashire and Cumbria including journeys to the following boundaries and beyond:
X2 to Liverpool
X61 to Manchester
79/179 to Dumfries
X59 to Blackburn
685 to Newcastle (Stagecoach and Arriva)
113 to Wigan
2A/2B to Ormskirk
125/126 to Bolton

Unlike the old versions of the Explorer none of these tickets are now valid on services within Manchester. The old versions were valid within Manchester but were not sold there.
The good thing is that all of these tickets are now much more prominantly displayed and advertised on the website.

Another useful ticket for the area is an Arriva North West and Wales Weekly Saver ticket at only £15 for 7 days.
This is amazing value as it covers a vast area from Wigan and Bolton to Manchester, Liverpool, Chester, Macclesfield, Crewe and large parts of North Wales including the North Wales Coast to Rhyl, Llandudno, Bangor and other areas south towards Phwelli, Barmouth and Aberystwyth.

I am planning to get both of these tickets this summer in conjunction with a 7Day North West Rail Rover (£70) which enables you to get from one end of the area to the other at quick speeds and also allows rail travel in large areas of West Yorkshire.

Just over £100 for a week of travel around a vast area of North West England plus North Wales and West Yorkshire is not bad value.

 

[route101]

I'm bringinging up my old thread from almost a year ago because now that I am planning getting one of these tickets again this summer I notice that there have been some major changes.

The North West Explorer is still available as a 1 Day (£9.75) and 4 day (£22) versions but the 7 Day (£30) ticket is no longer available.
Replacing this is a new 7 Day North West Megarider Gold ticket costing £24.
Therefore the 4 Day version is not really worth buying unless you are absolutely limited to 4 consecutive days and want to save £2.

All of these tickets cover the same area including all Stagecoach services in Lancashire and Cumbria including journeys to the following boundaries and beyond:
X2 to Liverpool
X61 to Manchester
79/179 to Dumfries
X59 to Blackburn
685 to Newcastle (Stagecoach and Arriva)
113 to Wigan
2A/2B to Ormskirk
125/126 to Bolton

Unlike the old versions of the Explorer none of these tickets are now valid on services within Manchester. The old versions were valid within Manchester but were not sold there.
The good thing is that all of these tickets are now much more prominantly displayed and advertised on the website.

Another useful ticket for the area is an Arriva North West and Wales Weekly Saver ticket at only £15 for 7 days.
This is amazing value as it covers a vast area from Wigan and Bolton to Manchester, Liverpool, Chester, Macclesfield, Crewe and large parts of North Wales including the North Wales Coast to Rhyl, Llandudno, Bangor and other areas south towards Phwelli, Barmouth and Aberystwyth.

I am planning to get both of these tickets this summer in conjunction with a 7Day North West Rail Rover (£70) which enables you to get from one end of the area to the other at quick speeds and also allows rail travel in large areas of West Yorkshire. not bad value.

seems a good idea . Im looking at doing glasgow to london by local bus only .