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.
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.
As the year winds down and festivities ramp up, navigating public transport can become that bit more challenging, especially with altered schedules and early finishes. Thus, here’s a breakdown of D&G Bus arrangements this festive season, starting from Monday 23rd December 2024 and guiding you into the New Year.
Monday 23rd December 2024: A Balancing Act
The start of the festive schedule sees a mix of normal and adjusted services. Most routes, including the 11, 22, 33, and more, will run on normal service levels. However, other services, such as lines 2, 3, and 19/A, will follow a Saturday timetable. Travellers should note that a handful of trips will be suspended; notably, service 6 will not operate at all. Other adjustments are in place for services like 1/A, 5, 32, and 82, where select early morning trips are paused.
Christmas Eve - Tuesday 24th December 2024: Winding Down Early
Christmas Eve mirrors the previous day but anticipates early finishes on several routes to accommodate festive celebrations. While most services maintain regular operations, expect reduced activities post-7 pm. Notably, Service 11 and 22 will not run, and the last service for many lines, such as 8 from Wistaston Green or 12 from Leighton Hospital, will conclude their routes early.
Christmas Day & Boxing Day: A Pause in Operations
On both Wednesday 25th and Thursday 26th December 2024, D&G Bus will take a break. Travellers are advised to plan accordingly, as no services will operate on these days.
Friday 27th December 2024: Returning to Routine
With Christmas festivities over, services resume with slight modifications. Most routes, like the 5 and 82, will operate on their usual schedules, albeit with some minor trip suspensions similar to those observed on the 23rd. Service 6 and a few iterations of 32 remain non-operational.
Weekend of 28th-29th December 2024: Status Quo
Saturday and Sunday travel throughout Cheshire and nearby areas will follow the regular weekend timetables. Passengers can expect continuity in service as the larger schedule remains undisturbed over the weekend.
Monday 30th December 2024: Festive Runs Continue
As December draws to a close, the operation continues in much the same manner as previous post-Christmas days, providing a mix of normal and Saturday services, maintaining those early morning trip suspensions where previously indicated.
New Year’s Eve - Tuesday 31st December 2024: The Last Ride of the Year
Reprising the schedule of the 30th, New Year’s Eve also sees early finishes on select routes. Travellers should pay attention to the last trips of the day, particularly those on services 8, 24, and 38, ensuring urgent travels are completed without getting stranded along the way.
New Year’s Day - Wednesday 1st January 2025: Welcome the New Year with a Rest
As is traditional, New Year’s Day will see D&G Bus taking a day of rest, with no services scheduled.
Thursday 2nd & Friday 3rd January 2025: Resuming Regularity
The public transport service eases back into its typical rhythm for the new year. Slight deviations remain, notably the persistent absence of early journeys on specific lines like the 1/A, 5, and 82, but otherwise, regular service resumes.
Saturday 4th January 2025: A Return to Normal
By the first Saturday of the new year, D&G Bus returns to normal service, with all routes anticipated to follow their regular schedules. As the seasonal alterations phase out, passengers can expect business as usual.
As the holiday season approaches, planning your travel on Greater Manchester’s public transport network becomes crucial to ensure smooth travel. Whether you rely on trams, buses, trains, or local links, understanding the festive timetable changes can save you time and effort.
Trams: Schedule Adjustments for the Holidays
During the festive period, trams across Greater Manchester will see varied schedules. Here’s a breakdown:
Christmas Eve (Tuesday, 24 December): Services begin at 6am but wrap up earlier. The last trams will arrive at terminus stops around 9pm. It’s advisable to check the journey planner for precise details.
Christmas Day (Wednesday, 25 December): There will be no tram services available on this day.
Boxing Day to New Year’s Day (26 December - 1 January): Key routes like Altrincham to Etihad Campus and Manchester Airport to Victoria will operate, but peak services on some routes will not. Boxing Day services kick off at 7am, running every 15 minutes until midnight, with Manchester Piccadilly station closed but accessible via Fairfield Street to the Metrolink stop.
Changes on New Year’s Eve (31 December): Services operate every 12 minutes till 1am, with modifications in the late evening to accommodate the City Council’s fireworks at St Peter’s Square. Again, checking the journey planner is recommended for the last tram times.
New Year’s Day (1 January): Services resume at 7am, maintaining a 15-minute frequency throughout the day.
By 2 January, normal tram services resume.
Buses: Modified Services to Keep You Moving
Bus services also experience significant timetable changes through the festive period:
Monday, 23 December: Standard services will run, with some routes on a modified timetable.
Christmas Eve (24 December): Runs mostly on a weekday schedule, with many services ceasing operations from 6pm, although some Bee Network routes continue until 9pm.
Christmas Day (25 December): With the exception of Stagecoach’s service 43, there are no other bus services running.
Boxing Day (26 December): A curated list of routes will run, catering to essential travel needs.
New Year’s Eve (31 December): Similar to Christmas Eve, services will cease running from 6pm, but some Bee Network routes and special late-night services are available until 4am on select routes.
By 2 January, bus services generally return to normal, with some routes still on a modified timetable until 4 January.
Free Bus, Local Link, and Ring & Ride: Special Holiday Schedules
The Free Bus in the City Centre operates daily except Christmas Day and Boxing Day, with alterations on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
Local Link and Ring & Ride services will not operate on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day but run on normal schedules otherwise, with early finish times on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
Trains: Plan Ahead for Amended Timetables
Train travellers should be aware of limited services during the holiday season:
On Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, services will operate until early evening, with reduced frequency and select services winding down earlier than usual.
No train services will operate on Christmas Day or Boxing Day.
From Friday, 27 December, expect amended timetables with potential delays or diversions, especially for routes impacted by engineering works between Leeds and York over the weekend.
Regular scheduling resumes across train services by 2 January.
Customer Contact Centres and Ticket Offices: Operating Hours
For inquiries and support, the Bee Network Customer Contact Centre will be closed on Christmas and New Year’s Day, while other days have varied hours.
Information and ticket offices maintain reduced hours on key dates, with closures on Christmas and Boxing Day.
Conclusion
Preparing for changes in public transport schedules during the festive season can make a significant difference in your travel experience. By noting the specific adjustments in trams, buses, free bus services, trains, and customer support operations, Greater Manchester’s residents and visitors can better plan their journeys and enjoy a stress-free holiday period. Stay informed by frequently checking schedules on official websites and using journey planners to ensure you’re on the right track during this busy time.
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 December 18th, 2024
