Member Article

Stagecoach has launched special Christmas markets service

Stagecoach Merseyside and South Lancashire has launched a special festive service to connect people living in Preston and Chorley and the surrounding areas with the Manchester Christmas markets in the run up to the Christmas.

The X61 service, launched on November 11th and will run from Preston to Manchester every Saturday until December 16th.

Two services will leave Preston at 8am and 9am respectively. The route will run from Preston Bus Station calling at Chorley, Adlington, Horwich, Worsley, and Salford before completing the journey at Manchester’s Edwardian Hotel.

Both buses will depart from the Manchester Edwardian Hotel at 4.30pm, giving people a full day to explore the markets and pick up their Christmas shopping.

Rob Jones, managing director of Stagecoach Merseyside and South Lancashire, said: “We’re very pleased to have launched this special festive service, which will enable people living in Preston to easily get to Manchester, experience the wonderful Christmas markets and maybe even enjoy a mulled wine or two before coming home.

“Travelling by car in the run up to Christmas can add stress to an already busy period with worries about parking or driving in heavy city centre traffic. We hope our festive service will give people living in Preston, Chorley and the surrounding areas, a quick, affordable, and comfortable way to enjoy a festive day out, get their Christmas shopping in and make the most of the season.”

Tickets for the service are available online or on the bus and costs:

• Preston to Manchester: (adult return:£10) (child return: £8)

• Chorley or Adlington to Manchester: (adult return:£8) (child return: £6)

• Horwich, Worsley or Salford to Manchester: (adult return: £6) (child return: £3)

Special fares apply, no concessions will be available. For the full route timetable, check the Stagecoach App or visit: stagecoachbus.com

Stagecoach Bus is one of the UK’s major employers, supporting around 24,000 jobs across the UK and 1,209 jobs in Merseyside and South Lancashire. Over 200 people have completed apprenticeships with Stagecoach since 2004 and the company currently employs around 150 apprentices. All Stagecoach vehicles are fitted with eco-driving systems which lower emissions and the company has shown the biggest commitment to using 100 per cent biofuel of any UK bus operator.

Follow the company online at stagecoachbus.com or on Twitter at @StagecoachMCSL for more information and live company updates.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Maria Carr .