In Merseyside, a raft of changes to bus services, effective from 19th
January 2025, aims to refine routes and schedules to better serve the public. Below, we explore these changes route by route, offering a detailed roadmap for what passengers can expect.
Liverpool to Chester: Routes 1 and X1
Starting with the popular Liverpool to Chester routes, both Routes 1 and X1 have undergone comprehensive timetable alterations. This update ensures improved service efficiency and convenience for daily commuters, borne from a continuous review of passenger needs and travel patterns.
Maghull Circulars: Routes 31, 31A, 32, 32A, and 33
Significant adjustments have been made to the Maghull circular routes to better synchronise with the updated Merseyrail timetable. This change is designed to enhance connectivity and reduce waiting times for passengers, fostering a seamless transition between bus and rail transport.
Route 52 Series: Liverpool to Netherton/Old Roan or Bootle
Minor changes have been implemented across Routes 52, 52A, and 52E. Though these are subtle, they are crucial in avoiding service delays and maintaining punctuality across these busy corridors.
Evenings Standardised: Routes 53 and 60
On Route 53, operated by Arriva, evening services after 20:00 have been standardised to ensure consistent running times, simplifying travel plans for late-night commuters. The same standardisation applies to Route 60 (Bootle to Aigburth Vale), optimising the evening travel experience.
Timetable Changes and Terminations: Routes 54, 54A, and 55
For Route 54, passengers will note a crucial change in its termination point, now ending at Whitechapel instead of Sir Thomas Street. Meanwhile, Route 54A remains unchanged. On Route 55, several trips have been retimed, impacting both morning and evening services, while Route 55D journeys will now arrive two minutes earlier.
Peak Adjustments: Routes 58 and 58A
Routes 58 and 58A, connecting Liverpool to Netherton, have seen timing adjustments during morning and evening peak hours. These improvements are designed to alleviate congestion and enhance reliability during high-traffic periods.
Subtle Shifts: Routes 61, 61A, 61B
While Route 61 remains untouched, Route 61A has two amended trips in the afternoon, and Route 61B witnesses changes to all evening trips. Passengers should familiarise themselves with the new schedules to ensure timely travel.
Bootle Circular Enhancements: Route 144
Route 144 sees its evening and Sunday trips rerouted to include additional sections of Marsh Lane and Irlam Road. This expansion reflects a commitment to widening service coverage and meeting community needs.
Introducing a New Service: Route 921
Perhaps the biggest development is the introduction of Route 921, offering a new daily service connecting Gillars Green to Omega Business Park via St Helens. Scheduled to commence on 20 January 2025, this route underscores efforts to boost accessibility to important business hubs.
Service Consistency and Minor Adjustments
Many routes, including Routes 80/80A, 81/81A, and 86 series, have experienced comprehensive timing changes to enhance service reliability. Additionally, Route 133 from Kirkby to Waterloo and Route X2 from Liverpool to Preston have seen minor timing modifications for better commuter alignment.
Summary
As these changes roll out, Merseyside bus users are encouraged to review the new timetables available online or at service stations. While the alterations aim to increase efficiency and service quality, some adjustment undoubtedly will be necessary. Passengers are advised to plan their journeys accordingly and stay informed about further updates.
Bus services across the Potteries in Staffordshire will operate on revised timetables throughout the festive period, from 23 December 2024 to 2 January 2025. Passengers should note several significant changes to normal service patterns during this time.
Regular Monday service will run on 23 December, whilst Sunday 29 December will maintain normal Sunday scheduling. Standard service patterns will resume from Thursday 2 January 2025.
Several days will operate on Saturday service schedules, including Friday 27 December, Saturday 28 December, and Monday 30 December, with Service 8 following Monday to Friday timetables on these days except for Saturday 28 December, which will run a standard Saturday service.
Both Christmas Eve (24 December) and New Year’s Eve (31 December) will operate on Saturday service schedules, with early finish times. Service 8 will follow the Monday to Friday timetable on these days. For passengers travelling from Hanley on these days, the last Service 6 departs at 17:40 for Coalville, Parkhall, and Blyth Bridge routes, while Service 6A’s final departure to Blythe Bridge is at 18:00. Service 7 makes its last journey to Kidsgrove at 17:32, and Service 7A concludes with a 17:00 departure to Biddulph. The final Service 8 leaves for Ball Green at 18:05.
Additional key evening services from Hanley include Service 11’s last departures at 17:35 to Newcastle and 18:40 to Dividy Road. Service 18’s final journey to Leek departs at 17:47, while Service 21’s last bus to Man in Space leaves at 17:52. Service 23 concludes with an 18:02 departure to Wimbourne Avenue, and Service 25 offers final journeys at 17:51 to Keele and 18:07 to Newcastle.
For passengers using Services 38 and 38A from Butt Lane, the last departures are scheduled between 16:34 and 16:50. The final Service 39/39A from Kidsgrove to Hanley runs at 17:23. From Newcastle, Services 98 and 99 conclude their operations at 17:43 and 17:59 respectively. Regional connections conclude with Service 101’s last departure to Stafford at 17:07 and Service 103’s final journey to Crewe at 17:18.
There will be no services operating on Christmas Day (25 December) or New Year’s Day (1 January). Boxing Day (26 December) will also see no regular services running, though special buses will operate for the Stoke City FC match.
Passengers are advised to plan journeys in advance, particularly noting the early finish times on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. For the most up-to-date service information, visitors can use a journey planner tool or contact customer service.
Merseytravel has announced its arrangements for public transport across Merseyside during the festive period, with special provisions to maintain essential connectivity throughout the Christmas and New Year season.
Christmas Day Special Services
This year, Merseytravel is providing free bus services across Merseyside on Christmas Day, operated by Stagecoach. Ten dedicated routes will maintain vital connections between key locations, including hospitals, town centres, and residential areas. These services will operate approximately hourly, with most routes running from around midday until early evening.
The network includes essential connections such as the 10A between Liverpool and St Helens, serving communities via Page Moss and Whiston, and the 201 linking Liverpool with Speke via the Royal Liverpool Hospital. Hospital access has been prioritised, with dedicated services like the 102 connecting Broadgreen Hospital to Aintree University Hospital, and routes H2 and H3 providing circular services around St Helens and Whiston Hospital.
Boxing Day Services
Public transport returns on Boxing Day with limited operations. Train services will resume with special timetables on both Northern and Wirral lines, though with reduced stopping patterns. Bus operators will run modified schedules across the region.
Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve
Regular services will operate on both Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, though with earlier final departures than usual. Train services will conclude between 20:00 and 21:00 on both evenings. The Mersey Tunnels will remain operational throughout the period, with toll charges suspended from 22:00 on December 24 until 06:00 on December 26.
New Year’s Day
On January 1, 2025, most public transport will operate Sunday service levels across the network. This includes both bus and rail services throughout Merseyside.
Mersey Ferries
River transport services will be suspended on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day. However, River Explorer Cruises will operate between December 28 and 31, with departures from Pier Head between 11:00 and 15:00. Passengers should note that Woodside Ferry Terminal remains closed for refurbishment during this period.
Customer Support
The Merseytravel Customer Contact Centre will maintain modified hours throughout the festive period. The service will be closed on Christmas Day, with reduced hours (08:00-18:00) on Christmas Eve, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day. Regular service hours resume from January 2.
Transport users are advised to check the Merseytravel website for any last-minute alterations to scheduled services during the festive period. All Merseytravel Travel Centres will be closed on Christmas Day, and passengers should note that no regular bus or rail services will operate on December 25.
Lothian has announced its comprehensive service arrangements for the festive period, covering operations for Lothian Buses, East Coast Buses, and Lothian Country from December 22, 2024 through January 8, 2025, serving Edinburgh and the surrounding regions.
Normal Service Period
All Lothian operations will maintain regular service patterns through December 23. Lothian Buses, East Coast Buses, and Lothian Country will provide normal Sunday service on December 22 and regular weekday service on December 23.
Christmas Period
On Christmas Eve (December 24), all services across the Lothian network will operate on Saturday timetables, with last journeys running earlier than usual. Christmas Day (December 25) will see special services operating on selected Lothian Buses routes, including Services X18, X27, X28, X40, 43, 72 and 74. East Coast Buses and Lothian Country will operate modified services on Christmas Day with financial support from East Lothian Council and West Lothian Council respectively.
Boxing Day (December 26) will see modified service levels across the subsidiaries. Lothian Buses will operate special timetables on various routes, while East Coast Buses and Lothian Country will maintain special timetables with council support. Eve Coaches services (120, 121, 123 and 130) will operate separately, with Service 120 following Sunday timetables while Services 121, 123 and 130 will not operate.
Between Christmas and New Year
The period between Christmas and New Year will follow weekend patterns across all subsidiaries. All services will operate Saturday schedules on December 27, normal Saturday service on December 28, and normal Sunday service on December 29. December 30 and 31 will operate on Saturday timetables throughout the network.
For Hogmanay celebrations on December 31, Lothian will provide extended ‘H’ night bus services running from midnight until 0400 on January 1. A special Hogmanay ticket, valid across all subsidiaries, will be available at £5 for travel within one fare zone or £10 for two zones, covering both regular services after 1800 on December 31 and the night bus network.
New Year Period
Regular Lothian services will be suspended on New Year’s Day (January 1), though East Coast Buses and Lothian Country will maintain council-supported operations. January 2 will see modified timetables across the network, with Eve Coaches maintaining the same arrangements as Boxing Day. All operations will follow Saturday service patterns on January 3, returning to normal weekend services on January 4 and 5.
Return to Normal Service
The entire network will resume regular weekday service patterns from Monday, January 6, 2025, aligning with the reopening of schools after the holiday period.
Travel Information
Passengers across all services are encouraged to check specific journey times before travelling, as seasonal traffic conditions may affect schedules. Real-time bus information will remain available via Lothian’s digital platforms throughout the festive period. The company’s travel shops will operate modified opening hours, and passengers should consult Lothian’s website and mobile apps for the most current service information and updates.
Scottish Citylink has released its schedule of services for the 2024-25 festive period, covering operations from December 24 through January 3.
Christmas Eve services will operate to normal timetables during the day, with early evening finishes on most routes. The flagship Glasgow-Edinburgh service will conclude with final departures at 20:30 from Glasgow and 22:15 from Edinburgh.
On Christmas Day, a special service will operate on the Glasgow-Edinburgh route 900, with hourly departures from Glasgow between 08:30 and 20:30, and from Edinburgh between 10:15 and 22:15. No other routes will operate on Christmas Day.
Boxing Day sees the resumption of services across the network, though with modified schedules. The Glasgow-Edinburgh service begins early, with first departures at 04:00 from Glasgow and 05:45 from Edinburgh. Highland services include two return journeys between Glasgow and Fort William/Skye, departing Glasgow at 10:30 and 15:30. A special Glasgow-Oban service operates with one return journey, leaving Glasgow at 12:15 and returning from Oban at 18:15.
Regular service patterns resume between December 27 and December 30. There are early evening finishes on December 31, similar to Christmas Eve arrangements.
New Year’s Day features an enhanced service on the Glasgow-Edinburgh corridor, with route 900 operating every 30 minutes in both directions throughout most of the day. The first departures are at 01:00 from Glasgow and 00:45 from Edinburgh, with final services at 20:30 and 22:15 respectively. Airport services run hourly on New Year’s Day, with buses from Glasgow to Edinburgh Airport operating between 09:15 and 18:15, and return services from 10:25 to 19:25.
The intercity network maintains significant coverage on New Year’s Day, with regular services connecting Glasgow and Edinburgh with Perth, Dundee, Aberdeen, and Inverness. From Glasgow, services to Aberdeen operate between 08:20 and 20:20, while Inverness connections run throughout the day from 09:40. Edinburgh is provided with frequent departures to both destinations between 07:50 and 19:35.
Special fare conditions apply on both Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Standard concessionary travel passes, open return tickets, and multi-journey products are not valid. Regular child, student, and other promotional discounts do not apply on these days.
Normal service patterns resume from January 2, though some early morning exceptions may apply on this date. Full regular scheduling returns across all routes from January 3.
Passengers are advised to check specific timetables for their intended journeys, as timings and stopping patterns may vary from regular service. This is particularly important for connections and onward travel arrangements during the festive period.
Bus Éireann has announced enhancements to the Sligo town bus services, introducing a new seven-day S3 route from Markievicz Road to Finisklin, along with improvements to the S1 and S2 routes. Starting on Sunday, 2nd
February 2025, Route S1, running from Cartron to Cairns Road, will offer increased evening services from 18:30 to midnight, including additional stops at Hollymount and Clarion Village. Route S2, from Strandhill to Rosses Point, will follow a revised route with new stops at Rosses Point Promenade, Oyster Island, and Wine Street.
20:52, January 20th, 2025
Bus Éireann will resume full timetabled services for Cork City Routes 202/202A, 205, and 208 beginning 2nd
February 2025, after reduced frequency timetables were implemented in October 2024 due to driver recruitment challenges. Since then, ongoing recruitment efforts have strengthened the pipeline for the driver training school.
Route 202/202A will return to a 20-minute frequency, Route 205 to every 15 minutes, and Route 208 to every 10 minutes. The 220 service is under review for improvements in punctuality and reliability, with a new timetable anticipated by April 2025.
