The 391/392 and placement 393 journeys between Stockport and Macclesfield currently operate combined every 90 minutes providing a lifeline service to communities along the route as the only service in many places. From 26th February, it is proposed to reduce this further to every 2 hours, with most journeys running as the 391.

The services have had a turbulent history having been operated by Arriva, Selwyns, MCT, Little Gem, and now Belle Vue in recent years alone. In 2021 when operated by Little Gem it was reduced from combined every 60mins to every 90mins due to driver shortages. Today Belle Vue plan to reduce this even further in what feels like a vicious cycle of cuts to meet demand that only ever result in more cuts and makes it more difficult to grow/develop the service.

Poynton for the size of town and population it is, probably has one of the worst bus services in the country. Only served by the 391/2/3 it would only see a bus every 2 hours. Compare this with Bramall, just a 8 minute drive on the other side of the Greater Manchester boundary, served by the 42B to Manchester and the 378/9 to Heald Green/Stockport. It has at least 3 buses an hour- 6x more than Poynton despite having a similar population.

Poynton Sixth Form Collage has students travelling over the boundary from Stockport who cannot use the bus service due to how infrequent it is, instead relying on expensive train journeys or lifts hindering their independence and freedom.

We call upon local authorities to reconsider this decision which affects so many lives in our community. We urge them to maintain at least the previous frequency of every ninety minutes if not restore it back to an hourly service.

Please sign this petition today – let’s restore the 391/392 to their former glory!