Merseyside & Cheshire Service Changes

[knutstransport]

RE: Merseyside & Cheshire Service Changes

(30/10/2026 01:54)MTL0201 Wrote:  The problem with those routes, you have to pay a separate fare [not sure if the Aintree 40 is integrated with rail tickets] to get to the City Centre, although having said that, there is a Chester plusbus ticket that you can use.

Unless the weather is inclement i'd rather walk bus station or Foregate Street to/from the rail station, the bus station is a nice walk using the canal as the short cut.

I'm sure there's no cooperation with the rail companies and Aintree.

There was an agreement for Cheshire West and the rail companies to fund the free city centre when First had the contract. Originally it was for ticket holders only, but when they installed ticket barriers at Chester that requirement was withdrawn.

Aintree knew the loophole. That if they registered a commercial service, Cheshire West would have to legally withdraw funding the free First bus, then the whole agreement would fall apart as the rail companies weren't going to cover the deficit.

I'm sure when Aintree introduced the service they were advertising it as being "only £1", but as some of the rail tickets to Chester aren't cheap that was effectively an overnight £2 fare hike. I feel sorry for any non-managerial drivers who were asked to drive the 40, who were having to ask for fares from people who had expected their onward travel to be free.