A quick recap: first there was a plan to divert service 370 to run between Stockport and Sale. Then the plan was off. Then there was a chance it was back on. Now it looks like a dead cert... kind of.
Looks like the Stockport to Sale route will be on after all. Regular Manchester Buses reader Shaun has spotted a listing on the VOSA website. Stagecoach is launching a new service X5 from Stockport to Sale in January.
The route isn't described so that's anyone's guess. As it's a limited stop service we'd guess that it's the most direct route: Edgeley, Cheadle, Gatley, Sharston, Baguely and Brooklands. That said, according to comments on previous posts here there's demand for a service connecting Heaton Mersey with Sale Grammar School, so we'll just have to wait and see what emerges.
In other news, JPT has recently announced yet more new journeys on a number of routes. These include Friday and Saturday late-night journeys on services 118 and 135 (with service 118 running via its daytime route as far as Moston before extending to Oldham. JPT also has Friday and Saturday evening journeys on service 77 (Manchester - Moston) and a single Saturday morning journey on service 86 (Chorlton - Manchester). There are extra journeys on service 17 and a revised route on the late-night Friday and Saturday journeys.
JPT has a scattergun approach to expansion but at least it stops larger rivals engaging in a UK North-style bus war with them.
[Image credit: Ingy the Wingy]
Fairway Travel have registered new commercial services on 37A/38 between Altrincham-Lymm-Warrington for 4th Jan. Cheshire East report that the 37A is an evening service Mon-Sat.
Posted by: Rob | December 01, 2009 at 07:13 PM
Great to hear about JPT, great to see them going for it against the big'uns.
Other shockers though should include Stotts getting the 41 & 337 routes, meaning first time Dukinfield gets stotts colours on a scheduled route ever.
Speedwellbus regain the 343 after their calamitys with GMPTE. Speedwellbus S50 has expanded into evening territory on Jan 4th with evening services staying, check their website for details.
Posted by: lewis | December 03, 2009 at 05:21 PM
by evening servicess after the jan 4th bit I meant sunday services....oops...lol. But yes there will be an evening service.
Posted by: lewis | December 03, 2009 at 09:02 PM
Whats that 86 about? Would be good to see a rival to Stagecoach but it seems it is just one journey per week :(
Posted by: Gansta init | December 04, 2009 at 09:22 PM
JPT do some odd positioning journeys to get buses in place for contracted services. The odd 86 journey is probably another such positioning service.
Posted by: Humber Transport | December 05, 2009 at 11:30 AM
X5 timetable is now up on the Stagecoach website.
Their website says route is "Stockport to Sale via the motorway, Sharston Industrial Area, Northenden, Sale Road and Sale Moor. Generally buses will run hourly Monday to Saturday." Journey time approx. 28 minutes.
http://www.stagecoachbus.com/GetUpload.ashx?Id=2666
Posted by: Shaun | January 06, 2010 at 01:52 PM
GMPTE timetable for X5 is now up (along with the other January changes). The service runs direct from Stockport via the M60 and M56 to junction 2, onto Sharston Road and Longley Lane into Northenden then direct to Sale Moor and Sale via 41 route, terminating at the tram stop.
http://www.gmpte.com/upload/routemaps/X5_27686.pdf
Posted by: Shaun | January 19, 2010 at 08:05 PM
JPT to launch full 77 service between Moston and Manchester via Newton Heath from 14th February, as well as Nightbus journeys on the 39 to Leigh.
Posted by: Shaun | February 01, 2010 at 02:10 PM