As of 31st March 2025, a wave of changes will be sweeping through the public transport services in the Cheshire and Greater Manchester areas. These adjustments come as a result of new contracts awarded by Cheshire East Council and Cheshire West and Chester Council, aiming to enhance connectivity and efficiency across the network.
One of the changes is to Service 38, where the 1845 journey departing from Crewe will now set off 10 minutes later. Passengers can view the new timetable for precise scheduling. Changes are also being introduced to Service 42, with modified timings and additional Monday to Friday early evening journeys to better serve passengers travelling to and from Leighton Hospital.
Services 48 and 48A have undergone a significant revamp to boost reliability. While some journeys will bypass Withens Lane and Lime Avenue in Weaverham, the withdrawal of Service 48A will be mitigated by the introduction of additional journeys on Service 48 every Thursday. Crucially, the route segment around Overton and Ship Street in Frodsham will now operate as Service 47. Timetables for both new services are available for those seeking detailed information.
New routes are introduced with Services 51 and 52, both offering fresh links between Wrenbury, Aston, and Sound with Nantwich and Leighton Hospital. Running from Monday to Saturday, these services promise to expand transport options in the area. Similarly, Service 53 is set to launch, establishing a new connection between Audlem, Buerton, and Hankelow and the key destinations of Nantwich and Leighton Hospital.
Changes are also afoot for Services 87 and 88, with the latter being divided to form a separate Service 87 from Knutsford to Macclesfield. Despite this split, the transition will be seamless with through fares remaining in place and no need for passengers to change buses at Knutsford. Moreover, Service 87 will now run into Radbroke Hall grounds with an increased hourly operation from Monday to Friday.
Enhancements extend to Service 89, where the revised timetable introduces extra afternoon journeys, while Services 90, 91, and 92 will now be operated by D&G Bus instead of Hollinsheads Coaches, with routes and schedules remaining consistent. For those reliant on Service 130, certain early morning and late afternoon journeys will be extended to include Wythenshawe, complemented by minor timing modifications to enhance service reliability. However, Service 312 will be withdrawn following the end of its developer funding.
The changes affect Service 317 as well, with timing alterations accommodating an increased number of buses serving the Cranberry and Pikemere estates in Alsager. Additionally, new Saturday journeys between Sandbach and Alsager are being introduced to further support local travel needs.
These comprehensive adjustments reflect a continued commitment to improving public transport services across Cheshire and Greater Manchester, offering passengers revised options for their commutes and ensuring a more efficient travel experience. For those looking for more information, timetables for each service have been updated and are readily accessible.
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 24th until 06:00 on December 26th.
New Year’s Day
On January 1st, 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 28th and 31st, 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 2nd.
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 25th.
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 23rd. Lothian Buses, East Coast Buses, and Lothian Country will provide normal Sunday service on December 22nd and regular weekday service on December 23rd.
Christmas Period
On Christmas Eve (December 24th), all services across the Lothian network will operate on Saturday timetables, with last journeys running earlier than usual. Christmas Day (December 25th) 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 26th) 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 27th, normal Saturday service on December 28th, and normal Sunday service on December 29th. December 30th and 31st will operate on Saturday timetables throughout the network.
For Hogmanay celebrations on December 31st, Lothian will provide extended ‘H’ night bus services running from midnight until 0400 on January 1st. 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 31st and the night bus network.
New Year Period
Regular Lothian services will be suspended on New Year’s Day (January 1st), though East Coast Buses and Lothian Country will maintain council-supported operations. January 2nd 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 3rd, returning to normal weekend services on January 4th and 5th.
Return to Normal Service
The entire network will resume regular weekday service patterns from Monday, January 6th, 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.
From October 25th, Bus Éireann is introducing revised timetables for its Expressway Route 13 and Route 14 services, which operate between Limerick, Tralee and Killarney. The changes aim to improve reliability and punctuality by adjusting departure times according to traffic conditions. A new Sunday morning departure from Tralee to Limerick has been added, and some weekday and Sunday journeys have been withdrawn. Discounted online fares are available until the end of November and customers are encouraged to book tickets in advance to secure their seats.
18:47, October 9th, 2026
The National Transport Authority, in partnership with Clare County Council, has introduced a new Ennis Town Bus Service, which will begin operating on 18th October 2026 as part of the Transport for Ireland network. The service includes two routes, NS1 and NS2, connecting key areas of Ennis such as the town centre, Ennis Hospital, Ennis Bus and Rail Station and surrounding residential areas. Both routes operate every 30 minutes throughout the day, with a 15-minute frequency along a shared central section and run from early morning until late at night.
The buses are low-floor, fully accessible and high capacity. Standard fares apply, with discounts available for Leap card users and free travel for certain groups. This development is part of the NTA’s Town Bus Programme, which seeks to provide sustainable and accessible public transport in regional towns across Ireland.
Posted on March 31th, 2025
