In causing a notable shake-up to the public transport landscape of Derbyshire and the Peak District, the closure of Hulleys of Baslow in March 2025 marked the end of an era while also setting off a flurry of activity as alternative operators stepped in to take over key routes. With a legacy stretching back over a century, Hulleys had been a fixture in the region. However, ensuring the continuity of service for local residents and visitors required swift action by both Derbyshire County Council and bus companies alike.
The tendered routes previously supported by Derbyshire County Council were among the first to see new operators step in. Routes 110 and 111 are now under the management of Ashbourne Community Transport, a transition that promises continuity for residents relying on these services. The picturesque areas of Bakewell and its surroundings, served by routes 172, 173, 178, and 257, which are now operated by Andrew’s of Tideswell. Meanwhile, Stagecoach Yorkshire has taken on Route 63, which connects Chesterfield to Matlock, following a contractual agreement with the council.
In contrast, the commercial routes previously operated independently by Hulleys present a more complex picture. For instance, route 170, which links Chesterfield to Bakewell via key stops such as Baslow and the renowned Chatsworth House, faced some uncertainty when High Peak Buses Stagecoach Yorkshire both expressed an interest in taking it over. The actions of the latter caused the former to withdraw to introduce a similar service, albeit bypassing Holymoorside, prompted High Peak to withdraw. The result is that Stagecoach now exclusively operates this service, albeit bypassing Holymoorside.
Routes 271 and 272, traversing the scenic stretch from Sheffield to Castleton via Hathersage and Hope Valley, now sees High Peak Buses operating journeys to compliment those of First Bus, maintaining the previous service level for routes particularly useful to walkers in this well-visited part of the Peak District. Prior to their closure, Hulleys did likewise for the same routes.
Similarly, the Chesterfield to Alfreton route, known as Route 55, encountered a brief hiatus before Notts and Derby took the helm in early April 2025, reinstating the service with minor timetable modifications but retaining its essential structure. This particular route enjoys partial funding support from Derbyshire County Council, underscoring its importance to the area’s public transport network.
From April 13th, public transport around Liverpool is undergoing several changes, with both timing adjustments and more substantive modifications affecting various bus routes across the region. This is in addition to the Easter service changes on Good Friday and Easter Monday (18th and 21st April), which are public holidays. On those days, Sunday service schedules will be implemented across the entire network.
Apparent from route 211, which introduces an entirely new service replacing the previous Arriva ‘Click’ operation around Speke, most are timing changes. Routes 3 and 3A get timing point changes: Camberley Drive is removed while Mackets Lane, Roskell Road is added as a timing point on journeys towards Huyton. Otherwise, Halewood Caravan Park is re-instated in the timetable for these services.
Moving to the timing changes, these affect service 3a in addition to the other changes. Other affected routes include 10, 10A, 12, 13 and 204. Service 15, connecting Liverpool and Huyton, has seen timing changes specifically affecting weekend schedules and certain weekday evening journeys. Route 320 has undergone a slight retiming, with the Monday to Friday service that previously departed at 14:33 now leaving five minutes later at 14:38, along with further timing modifications along the journey. Specific weekday journeys on route 217, which runs from Bootle through Kirkby Bus Station to Huyton or Halewood, have been retimed. These include the 07:45 service towards Kirkby and several afternoon trips.
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.
Bus Éireann announced on 27th March 2026 that three Expressway commercial routes would be withdrawn from 24th May 2026, citing sustained financial losses on services operating without State subsidy. The affected routes were the Waterford to Dublin and Dublin Airport service, the Ballina to Galway service and a segment of the Rosslare and Wexford to Waterford route.
In response, the National Transport Authority introduced a new subsidised public service, TFI Route 365, to maintain connectivity along the Waterford to Carlow corridor, operated by Bus Éireann on an interim basis under an emergency Direct Award Contract. The new service runs four daily return journeys Monday to Saturday and three on Sundays and Bank Holidays, serving communities including Mullinavat, Thomastown, Gowran, Paulstown, Leighlinbridge and Carlow, with additional stops at Thomastown, Muine Bheag and Dungarvan village not previously served. Connections are available in Carlow to onward bus and rail services to Dublin, and passengers can use TFI Leap Cards for reduced fares, with free travel passes remaining valid.
12:28, May 18th, 2026
Launched in November 2025 following a major conservation and digitisation programme, the CIÉ Group Archives Catalogue is an online archival portal created by Córas Iompair Éireann that provides public access to a substantial collection of historical Irish transport records. More than 166,000 pages of material have already been digitised, covering corporate archives from 1945 onwards, records from 68 railway companies, and documentation relating to canal, tramway and road transport operations, with further material being added on an ongoing basis. Until now, Ireland has largely lacked a single, easily accessible online transport archive of this kind, meaning much of this material was previously difficult to discover without prior knowledge of the collections.
Historic minute books, annual reports, engineering documentation, maps, photographs and administrative papers are all represented, spanning organisations such as the Dublin and Kingstown Railway, the Great Southern and Western Railway, the Midland Great Western Railway and various tramway and canal undertakings. The catalogue follows a hierarchical structure familiar from professional archival systems, allowing users to browse collections, series and individual files, though only certain records are currently available to view or order directly online. A genealogical names database is also included, enabling searches for individuals connected with Irish transport companies.
Posted on May 4th, 2025
