Potential headache for Cheshire East council

[knutstransport]

Potential headache for Cheshire East council
The Department for Work and Pensions has launched a consultation in to closing Wilmslow Job Centre and for services to transfer to an expanded Macclesfield Job Centre. DWP has looked at the 130 bus and see it as an adequate option for getting between Wilmslow and Macclesfield. However, DWP has overlooked that Knutsford Job Centre closed many years ago with services transferred to Wilmslow Job Centre. I've heard a rumour that revenue on the subsided 88 service taken from job seekers can be over £1,000 a week and most of the usage between 10am and 3pm are job seekers and ENCTS pass holders. Whether the 27 service will get the revenue lost by the 88 service also is unclear as DWP say the maximum travelling time by public transport should be 35 minutes and 27 bus services take up to 50 minutes.

I bet Arriva will be pleased if the plans get approved - nice boost in off-peak usage on the 130 route between Wilmslow and Macclesfield for them!