THE future of the Winsford to Liverpool X22 bus service hangs in the balance as a three-month trial begins for the troubled service.
From today, April 1, 2015, the X22 service will run from Winsford fortnightly on a Saturday, with every passenger required to pay £7.50.
The GHA Coaches’ X22 bus service was axed by Cheshire West and Chester Council 12 months ago.
Winsford Town Council stepped in to subsidise the service for six months, which was extended for a further six months.
Speaking when the council announced the change to the service, Cllr Don Beckett said: “The council reconsidered the service after six months and decided to continue to subsidise the cost of the service.
“That takes us to the end of March this year.
“We gave no commitment that after that date we would carry on indefinitely actually subsidising it, we didn’t promise that.”
During the three-month trial, if the £250 fee isn’t met to cover the cost of the journey, the council has agreed to pay the balance.
Winsford Town Council will decide on the future of the service before June 30.
The council also agreed to run the service every Saturday through Liverpool’s One Magnificent City, which runs from May 15 to the weekend of July 3-5.
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