Night bus fares well in festive trial run (From Warrington Guardian)

Night bus fares well in festive trial run

MORE than 700 revellers made use of Warrington's late night bus service over Christmas and New Year.

Its success has reinforced support for the scheme to be put in place permanently - but sponsors would be needed to pay for the running costs.

Brannigans funded the five-night service that operated over the festive break.

Debbie Hatch, Brannigans manager, said: "People were able to leave the venue and get straight on a bus, so it got people off the streets and stopped trouble within town. It was a great success and would definitely work in the future.

"If people write letters of support for the service to us we can hopefully then get support from the company."

Eddie Coop, chairman of Warrington Borough Transport, praised Brannigans for its 'excellent' supervision of the service.

He said: "We were delighted that the service proved so popular and helped so many people get home quickly and safely after their evening in town.

"Passengers were not kept waiting in queues and every bus was fitted with CCTV, all of which contributed to ensuring the service operated absolutely trouble free.

"We are extremely grateful to Brannigans because the trial proved that late night buses can have an important role to play in promoting a safe and enjoyable night time economy for Warrington. I know that many people are now hoping that the service can operate on a regular basis, but this will depend on whether sponsors can be found."

Clr Brian Maher, chairman of Warrington Borough Council's licensing committee, added: "We are currently discussing the future of the service and hope that this will result in full support to run the service permanently within the town centre.

"Having travelled on the late night bus as an observer, I think it is a simple yet excellent idea and I look forward to it continuing in the future."

Superintendent Julia Clayton, Warrington's Divisional Commander, said: "The late night bus service, combined with existing means of public transport, undoubtedly helped to reduce anti-social behaviour in the town centre over the festive period.

"The availability of additional transport helped in preventing disorder occurring by cutting down on flash points involving large numbers of people becoming frustrated at being unable to get transport at the end of a night.

"We would welcome the full time implementation of this service as part of our wider strategy to crack down on alcohol related disorder."

l See Guardian comment on Page 2.