City bus scheme for home games - bus tracking (P91)

[swindinho]

I was one of those waiting at Tytherington - but gave up on it when it was half an hour late and headed back to my car parked around the corner. It arrived minutes later and I ended up following it out of Macclesfield - Doh!

However, the other experiment I was wondering about was to use the P+R at Ashton - so I shifted to that option. Apart from struggling to find my way into it, and going to the one that doesn't have EV chargers - it looks a good option. At the very least - you know a tram will show up and if there is a problem there will be information on the boards or the app to tell you so. Standing at a bus stop in the middle of Cheshire with no info is no fun at all.

I’ve used Ashton Moss P+R a fair bit this season. Usually able to find a parking space ok,if not there’s Ashton West just up the road. Can be a bit hit and miss at times,especially getting the tram back,but can’t be beat getting back to the M60.

 

[monty silva]

I used the match bus for the first time from Heald Green last night as none of my usual crowd were going. I usually get the train/tram as we get to the ground early for a few beers in the new(ish) South Stand bar. My bus stop is more or less across the road from the train station so no difference there. The price of the bus was £8 and I believe there is no concessionary fares, my train midweek is now £8.30 and then a tram from Piccadilly ( I have a metrolink matchday pass so I don't know the cost of that part). The bus was bang on time as is the train usually. When using the the train/tram combo it normally takes 35/40 min to get inside the ground, I can get a seat on the train but the tram is packed. Using the bus, it left at 5:55 and I was in the ground at 7:40 which is a much longer journey. Getting there that late I obviously had to queue to get in when I normally don't when I get there early. Coming home our bus set off at around 10:20 and dropped off at 11:15. On midweek games I leave dead on the final whistle and have to get to the other side of the ground for the tram, using my fast pass I normally get on the first/second tram and get the 22:20 getting to Heald Green at 22:35. Overall, if you don't mind getting there last minute, the bus is a decent option but I'll stick to the train from now on. I think the fares for the bus need to be looked at and £8 for kids is outrageous.

 

[Stephen230]

The bus apps don't work..... trust me.

Ghost buses constantly

I use buses on a near daily basis. I know the apps. can be frustrating when you get one that goes 3 mins/ 2 mins 1 min/ due / nothing.

But 90% + of the time, they’re pretty reliable and certainty a huge improvement on just relying on the booked timetable.

But it’s irrelevant if these buses aren’t on them anyway.

 

[xgorton]

I used the match bus for the first time from Heald Green last night as none of my usual crowd were going. I usually get the train/tram as we get to the ground early for a few beers in the new(ish) South Stand bar. My bus stop is more or less across the road from the train station so no difference there. The price of the bus was £8 and I believe there is no concessionary fares, my train midweek is now £8.30 and then a tram from Piccadilly ( I have a metrolink matchday pass so I don't know the cost of that part). The bus was bang on time as is the train usually. When using the the train/tram combo it normally takes 35/40 min to get inside the ground, I can get a seat on the train but the tram is packed. Using the bus, it left at 5:55 and I was in the ground at 7:40 which is a much longer journey. Getting there that late I obviously had to queue to get in when I normally don't when I get there early. Coming home our bus set off at around 10:20 and dropped off at 11:15. On midweek games I leave dead on the final whistle and have to get to the other side of the ground for the tram, using my fast pass I normally get on the first/second tram and get the 22:20 getting to Heald Green at 22:35. Overall, if you don't mind getting there last minute, the bus is a decent option but I'll stick to the train from now on. I think the fares for the bus need to be looked at and £8 for kids is outrageous.

Nearly 2 hours on a bus,unbelievable.

 

[kippax_blueboy]

I used the match bus for the first time from Heald Green last night as none of my usual crowd were going. I usually get the train/tram as we get to the ground early for a few beers in the new(ish) South Stand bar. My bus stop is more or less across the road from the train station so no difference there. The price of the bus was £8 and I believe there is no concessionary fares, my train midweek is now £8.30 and then a tram from Piccadilly ( I have a metrolink matchday pass so I don't know the cost of that part). The bus was bang on time as is the train usually. When using the the train/tram combo it normally takes 35/40 min to get inside the ground, I can get a seat on the train but the tram is packed. Using the bus, it left at 5:55 and I was in the ground at 7:40 which is a much longer journey. Getting there that late I obviously had to queue to get in when I normally don't when I get there early. Coming home our bus set off at around 10:20 and dropped off at 11:15. On midweek games I leave dead on the final whistle and have to get to the other side of the ground for the tram, using my fast pass I normally get on the first/second tram and get the 22:20 getting to Heald Green at 22:35. Overall, if you don't mind getting there last minute, the bus is a decent option but I'll stick to the train from now on. I think the fares for the bus need to be looked at and £8 for kids is outrageous.

I use train and tram from Gatley going and I walk back into town after the game get a train back. Not considered the bus as you say it would affect my overall end-to-end match day experience.

 

[johnnytapia]

Just wanted to provide a quick update on this following a Fan Experience sub-group meeting last night.

The club are aware of the issues with the services - particularly around the pricing for families/groups. They also appreciate that delays/diversion would really put people off using the service.

Clearly, the current service are a trial and they are undertaking analysis as the data set increases on route optimisation and so on. There’s a lot that could be said for each route, and personally I think they overlooked some of the routes where existing supporter club buses and such already exist. That said, the routes from Shaw, Macclesfield and Offerton are amongst the most well utilised. Overall, the services are at around 30% capacity, which has increased game by game.

My main ask, however, is that I would really encourage anyone who does utilise the service to leave feedback. The project is quite a big undertaking by the club and this is really helping them (with City Matters input) to shape them going forward. Besides, I believe the club are planning to enter those who provide feedback into a draw for a signed shirt and given the relatively low number of completions to date, you’d stand a better chance than usual at winning one of these things!

It’s the bus driver’s shirt.

 

[Cheadle_hulmeBlue]

I used the match bus for the first time from Heald Green last night as none of my usual crowd were going. I usually get the train/tram as we get to the ground early for a few beers in the new(ish) South Stand bar. My bus stop is more or less across the road from the train station so no difference there. The price of the bus was £8 and I believe there is no concessionary fares, my train midweek is now £8.30 and then a tram from Piccadilly ( I have a metrolink matchday pass so I don't know the cost of that part). The bus was bang on time as is the train usually. When using the the train/tram combo it normally takes 35/40 min to get inside the ground, I can get a seat on the train but the tram is packed. Using the bus, it left at 5:55 and I was in the ground at 7:40 which is a much longer journey. Getting there that late I obviously had to queue to get in when I normally don't when I get there early. Coming home our bus set off at around 10:20 and dropped off at 11:15. On midweek games I leave dead on the final whistle and have to get to the other side of the ground for the tram, using my fast pass I normally get on the first/second tram and get the 22:20 getting to Heald Green at 22:35. Overall, if you don't mind getting there last minute, the bus is a decent option but I'll stick to the train from now on. I think the fares for the bus need to be looked at and £8 for kids is outrageous.

You could just get the bullocks coach from heald green, which is a bit cheaper and you get to the ground earlier usually. It’s been going for years.

 

[Cheadle_hulmeBlue]

Clearly, the current service are a trial and they are undertaking analysis as the data set increases on route optimisation and so on. There’s a lot that could be said for each route, and personally I think they overlooked some of the routes where existing supporter club buses and such already exist.

I agree on this point. Some of the routes don’t make any sense. For example going through Cheadle. There’s already a supporters club bus and the bullocks bus service, which picks up loads of people. Yet from what I can there wasn’t a bus route for people in burnage and levenhshulme, which would make much more sense .

 

[Scaring Europe to Death]

I agree on this point. Some of the routes don’t make any sense. For example going through Cheadle. There’s already a supporters club bus and the bullocks bus service, which picks up loads of people. Yet from what I can there wasn’t a bus route for people in burnage and levenhshulme, which would make much more sense .

Just to pick you up on one crucial point as whilst agreeing about the choice of locations/non locations (Hazel Grove should definitely have a direct route) I've also heard some dissenting voices regarding 2-3 Supporters Club Bus Services.

When the game finishes, most supporters just want to get home as quickly as possible. However, the Supporters Club Bus seems more aimed at those people who want to have another couple of pints in Mary D's.

That's why a City stronghold such as Cheadle should cater for both.

 

[Stephen230]

I used the match bus for the first time from Heald Green last night as none of my usual crowd were going. I usually get the train/tram as we get to the ground early for a few beers in the new(ish) South Stand bar. My bus stop is more or less across the road from the train station so no difference there. The price of the bus was £8 and I believe there is no concessionary fares, my train midweek is now £8.30 and then a tram from Piccadilly ( I have a metrolink matchday pass so I don't know the cost of that part). The bus was bang on time as is the train usually. When using the the train/tram combo it normally takes 35/40 min to get inside the ground, I can get a seat on the train but the tram is packed. Using the bus, it left at 5:55 and I was in the ground at 7:40 which is a much longer journey. Getting there that late I obviously had to queue to get in when I normally don't when I get there early. Coming home our bus set off at around 10:20 and dropped off at 11:15. On midweek games I leave dead on the final whistle and have to get to the other side of the ground for the tram, using my fast pass I normally get on the first/second tram and get the 22:20 getting to Heald Green at 22:35. Overall, if you don't mind getting there last minute, the bus is a decent option but I'll stick to the train from now on. I think the fares for the bus need to be looked at and £8 for kids is outrageous.

I appreciate that football traffic can massively increase journey time but 1 hr 45 from Heald Green seems ridiculous.

Can’t be more than 10 miles and most of that straight down the Parkway I’d have thought?