Council reveals cost of subsidising Saturday bus service

by Lisa Reeves

Monday 10^th February 2020

Mon 10^th Feb 2020

Last month Cheshire East Council announced that it will be supplementing a recently launched commercial bus service.

Following Arriva North West's withdrawal from running the 130 bus between Macclesfield and East Didsbury, via Alderley Edge, Wilmslow and Handforth, D&G Bus stepped in to run a reduced service from Monday 27th January - which no longer continues to East Didsbury, or operates on Saturdays.

The Council subsequently confirmed that it had decided to subsidise an hourly service on Saturdays, starting on 1st February and running, like the weekday service, from Macclesfield to Handforth (via Alderley Edge and Wilmslow) and back to Macclesfield.

Following an FOI request from one of our readers, Cheshire East Council has confirmed that the cost of supporting the Saturday operation of the 130 bus service is £22,360 per annum.

Tags:: 130 Bus Service

Comments

Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.

Duncan Herald

Tuesday 11^th February 2020 at 8:30 am

Is there a projected income to off-set against the cost?

Jean Wearne

Tuesday 18^th February 2020 at 3:39 pm

I support the Council subsidising the 130 Saturday service. As regards “income”, it might be difficult to quantify the benefit to local traders. It is real nevertheless. People are able to continue doing their Saturday shopping in Wilmslow, visit the artisan market or go to an afternoon performance at the cinema. And that’s not to mention the social benefit.