Halton Transport
Encyclopedia
Halton Transport is a bus
operator running within the Borough of Halton
(including the towns of Widnes
and Runcorn
) and into the surrounding area, including Warrington
, St Helens
, Prescot
, Liverpool
and Chester
. The limited company
"Halton Borough Transport Ltd" is wholly owned by Halton Borough Council, which makes it one of the few remaining municipal bus companies
in the UK
today.
The last Leyland Lynx
left the fleet in October 2010. This model had formed part of the fleet for a total of twenty-four years, and the 36 examples purchased new between 1986 and 1992 included the last Lynx built.
Prior to this, Leyland National
s had been purchased, which also included the last one built. Twenty were purchased new between 1972 and 1985 by Halton and its predecessor Widnes Corporation; they were joined by 27 secondhand examples between 1986 and 1989.
and Riverside College
Cronton campus.
Bus
A bus is a road vehicle designed to carry passengers. Buses can have a capacity as high as 300 passengers. The most common type of bus is the single-decker bus, with larger loads carried by double-decker buses and articulated buses, and smaller loads carried by midibuses and minibuses; coaches are...
operator running within the Borough of Halton
Halton (borough)
Halton is a local government district in North West England, with borough status and administered by a unitary authority. It was created in 1974 as a district of Cheshire, and became a unitary authority area on 1 April 1998. It consists of the towns of Widnes and Runcorn and the civil parishes of...
(including the towns of Widnes
Widnes
Widnes is an industrial town within the borough of Halton, in Cheshire, England, with an urban area population of 57,663 in 2004. It is located on the northern bank of the River Mersey where the estuary narrows to form the Runcorn Gap. Directly to the south across the Mersey is the town of Runcorn...
and Runcorn
Runcorn
Runcorn is an industrial town and cargo port within the borough of Halton in the ceremonial county of Cheshire, England. In 2009, its population was estimated to be 61,500. The town is on the southern bank of the River Mersey where the estuary narrows to form Runcorn Gap. Directly to the north...
) and into the surrounding area, including Warrington
Warrington
Warrington is a town, borough and unitary authority area of Cheshire, England. It stands on the banks of the River Mersey, which is tidal to the west of the weir at Howley. It lies 16 miles east of Liverpool, 19 miles west of Manchester and 8 miles south of St Helens...
, St Helens
St Helens, Merseyside
St Helens is a large town in Merseyside, England. It is the largest settlement and administrative centre of the Metropolitan Borough of St Helens with a population of just over 100,000, part of an urban area with a total population of 176,843 at the time of the 2001 Census...
, Prescot
Prescot
Prescot is a town and civil parish, within the Metropolitan Borough of Knowsley in Merseyside, England. It is 8 miles to the east of Liverpool city centre and lies within the historic boundaries of Lancashire. At the 2001 Census, the population was 11,184 .Prescot marks the beginning of the...
, Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
and Chester
Chester
Chester is a city in Cheshire, England. Lying on the River Dee, close to the border with Wales, it is home to 77,040 inhabitants, and is the largest and most populous settlement of the wider unitary authority area of Cheshire West and Chester, which had a population of 328,100 according to the...
. The limited company
Limited company
A limited company is a company in which the liability of the members or subscribers of the company is limited to what they have invested or guaranteed to the company. Limited companies may be limited by shares or by guarantee. And the former of these, a limited company limited by shares, may be...
"Halton Borough Transport Ltd" is wholly owned by Halton Borough Council, which makes it one of the few remaining municipal bus companies
Municipal bus companies
A municipal bus company is an operator of bus services owned by the local government authority. This article lists all current municipal bus companies in the United Kingdom....
in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
today.
History
Fleet
Halton Transport has a 100% low floor single-deck fleet of around 140 buses as of July 2011. Three step-entrance Dennis Darts, which had been used almost exclusively on school services, were the last step-entrance vehicles owned.The last Leyland Lynx
Leyland Lynx
The Leyland Lynx is a single-decker bus built by Leyland between 1984 and 1992. It was designed to replace the ageing Leyland National.Production vehicles began to enter service in 1986. From 1990 to 1992 the updated Lynx II version was produced...
left the fleet in October 2010. This model had formed part of the fleet for a total of twenty-four years, and the 36 examples purchased new between 1986 and 1992 included the last Lynx built.
Prior to this, Leyland National
Leyland National
The Leyland National is a British single-deck bus built in large quantities between 1972 and 1985. It was developed as a joint project between two UK nationalised industries - the National Bus Company and British Leyland. Buses were constructed at a specially built factory at the Lillyhall...
s had been purchased, which also included the last one built. Twenty were purchased new between 1972 and 1985 by Halton and its predecessor Widnes Corporation; they were joined by 27 secondhand examples between 1986 and 1989.
Bus types in use
| Image | Chassis | Body | Count | Year(s) built |
Low floor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander Dennis Enviro200 Dart | Alexander Dennis Enviro200 Dart | 15 | 2010 | Yes | |
 |
Alexander Dennis Dart 4 | MCV MCV Bus and Coach MCV Bus and Coach is a British manufacturer of bus bodies founded in late 2002 after buying the assets of defunct bus builder Marshall Bus who closed down in the summer of that year... Evolution |
22 | 2007-2009 | Yes |
 |
TransBus Dart SPD Alexander Dennis Dart SPD |
East Lancs Myllennium East Lancs Myllennium The East Lancs Myllennium is a type of bus body built on MAN, Volvo, DAF/VDL and Alexander Dennis chassis. It was built as a single and double deck body, with double deck bodies having slightly different names .-Single decker:... |
43 | 2003-2005 | Yes |
 |
Dennis Dart SLF Dennis Dart SPD |
Marshall Capital Marshall Capital The Marshall Capital was a single-decker bus body built by Marshall between 1997 and 2003. It was typically placed on the Dennis Dart SLF chassis, but it was also built on other chassis and used to rebody older chassis.... |
67 | 1999-2002 | Yes |
Main services
The table below shows the main service routes operated by Halton Transport, correct .| Number | Start | Terminus | Via | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Widnes | Halebank | Green Oaks, Chestnut Lodge,Widnes, Coronation Drive | |
| 3D | Halton Hospital | High Street Bus Station | Grangeway, Weston Point | Sunday service only |
| 12 | Widnes | Halebank | Green Oaks, Chestnut Lodge, Widnes Chestnut Lodge, Widnes Chestnut Lodge is a small suburb of Widnes within the borough of Halton, in Cheshire, England. It has a small range of local services including a chip shop, dental practice, newsagents, chemist's, cafe, pub, and hairdresser's. In the 1960s Chestnut Lodge saw the rise of housing in the area with 2... , Coronation Drive, Hough Green Hough Green Hough Green is a residential area of the town of Widnes, within the borough of Halton, in the ceremonial county of Cheshire, England. Historically, it was part of Lancashire until 1974.... |
|
| 14, 14C | Murdishaw | Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880... |
Halton Lea, Castlefields, Astmoor, Runcorn, Widnes, Green Oaks, Chestnut Lodge,Widnes, Hough Green Hough Green Hough Green is a residential area of the town of Widnes, within the borough of Halton, in the ceremonial county of Cheshire, England. Historically, it was part of Lancashire until 1974.... , Arley Drive, Belle Vale, Childwall Childwall Childwall is a suburb of Liverpool, Merseyside, England and a Liverpool City Council Ward. It is located to the south of the city, bordered by Gateacre, Wavertree, Belle Vale, Broadgreen, Bowring Park and Mossley Hill... , Wavertree Wavertree Wavertree is an area of Liverpool, in Merseyside, England, and is a Liverpool City Council ward. It is bordered by a number of districts to the south and east of Liverpool city centre from Toxteth, Edge Hill, Fairfield, Old Swan, Childwall and Mossley Hill.... |
Short journeys operate between Widnes and Arley Drive; Murdishaw to Widnes only operates Monday to Friday daytime |
| 14, 26, 27 | West Bank | Green Oaks | Widnes | |
| 17A, 17B | Widnes | St Helens St Helens, Merseyside St Helens is a large town in Merseyside, England. It is the largest settlement and administrative centre of the Metropolitan Borough of St Helens with a population of just over 100,000, part of an urban area with a total population of 176,843 at the time of the 2001 Census... |
Green Oaks, Appleton (17A), Lunts Heath (17A), Farnworth (17B), Clock Face | |
| 20, 20A | Murdishaw | Weston Village | Castlefields, Halton Hospital, Halton Brook, Runcorn, Weston Point, Grangeway | Evening service only |
| 26, 27 | Widnes | Cronton Cronton Cronton is a village and civil parish within Borough of Knowsley, in England. The village is surrounded by green belt land. Over the county border in Cheshire, Widnes town centre is to the south-southeast.-History:... |
Green Oaks, Horns, Farnworth | |
| 61, 161 | Murdishaw | Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880... |
Halton Lea, Runcorn Heath, Runcorn, Widnes, Green Oaks, Farnworth, Rainhill Rainhill Rainhill is a large village and civil parish of the Metropolitan Borough of St Helens, in Merseyside, England.Historically a part of Lancashire, Rainhill was formerly a township within the ecclesiastical parish of Prescot, and hundred of West Derby... , Prescot Prescot Prescot is a town and civil parish, within the Metropolitan Borough of Knowsley in Merseyside, England. It is 8 miles to the east of Liverpool city centre and lies within the historic boundaries of Lancashire. At the 2001 Census, the population was 11,184 .Prescot marks the beginning of the... , Whiston Whiston, Merseyside Whiston is a large village and civil parish within the Metropolitan Borough of Knowsley on Merseyside, England. At the 2001 Census the population was recorded as 13,629... , Huyton Huyton Huyton is a suburb of Liverpool within the Metropolitan Borough of Knowsley, with some parts belonging to the borough of Liverpool in Merseyside, England. It is part of the Liverpool Urban Area and has close associations with its neighbour, Roby, having both formerly been part of the Huyton with... , Wavertree Wavertree Wavertree is an area of Liverpool, in Merseyside, England, and is a Liverpool City Council ward. It is bordered by a number of districts to the south and east of Liverpool city centre from Toxteth, Edge Hill, Fairfield, Old Swan, Childwall and Mossley Hill.... |
Short journeys operate between Widnes and Farnworth, and also between Prescot and Liverpool |
| 62 | Warrington Warrington Warrington is a town, borough and unitary authority area of Cheshire, England. It stands on the banks of the River Mersey, which is tidal to the west of the weir at Howley. It lies 16 miles east of Liverpool, 19 miles west of Manchester and 8 miles south of St Helens... |
Weates Close | Stockton Heath Stockton Heath Stockton Heath is a civil parish and suburban area of the Borough of Warrington in Cheshire, England. It is located to the north of the Bridgewater Canal and to the south of the Manchester Ship Canal, which divides Stockton Heath from Latchford and north Warrington... , Walton, Moore, Runcorn East Runcorn East railway station Runcorn East railway station serves the eastern suburbs of Runcorn in Cheshire, England and offers trains to Warrington and Manchester and to Chester and North Wales.... , Murdishaw, Halton Lea, Festival Way, Runcorn, Widnes, Green Oaks, Bancroft Road |
Short journeys operate between Murdishaw and Weates Close |
| 110 | Widnes | Warrington Warrington Warrington is a town, borough and unitary authority area of Cheshire, England. It stands on the banks of the River Mersey, which is tidal to the west of the weir at Howley. It lies 16 miles east of Liverpool, 19 miles west of Manchester and 8 miles south of St Helens... |
Green Oaks, Weates Close, Cuerdley, Penketh Penketh Penketh is a civil parish in the Borough of Warrington in Cheshire, England. It is about west of Warrington town centre. It has a population of 8,699.The emblem/badge of Penketh is three kingfishers.-History:... , Sankey Bridges Sankey Bridges Sankey Bridges is part of the parish of great sankey in Warrington, a unitary authority in the north-west of England. Located around the crossing of the main turnpike road between Warrington, Prescot and Liverpool over the Sankey Brook, it became home to many industries after the opening of the... |
Evening service only |
| 801 | Springwood Cemetery | Royal Liverpool Hospital Royal Liverpool University Hospital The Royal Liverpool University Hospital is a large teaching hospital in Liverpool, England. Along with Broadgreen Hospital, the hospital operates on behalf of the Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospital NHS Trust and is associated with the University of Liverpool and Liverpool John... |
Garston Garston, Merseyside Garston is a district of Liverpool, Merseyside, England. It is bordered by Aigburth, Allerton, and Speke.-History:Gaerstun, meaning 'grazing settlement' or 'grazing farm' in Old English, is one possible root of the name.... , Aigburth Vale, Mossley Hill Mossley Hill Mossley Hill is a district of Liverpool, Merseyside, England and a Liverpool City Council Ward. It is located to the south of the city, bordered by Aigburth, Wavertree, Childwall and Allerton. At the 2001 Census, the Mossley Hill ward had a population which was recorded at 12,650.-Notable... , Penny Lane, Sefton General Hospital, Women's Hospital Liverpool Women's Hospital Liverpool Women's Hospital is NHS Foundation Trust in Liverpool, England. The Trust uses the Single Transferable Vote voting system to elect its Members' Council.-History and architecture:... |
Sunday service only |
School services
Halton Transport also operate a number of schools services, including services to Gateacre Comprehensive School, Newton High School, Belle Vale School, Great Sankey High SchoolGreat Sankey High School
Great Sankey High School is a secondary school located in Warrington, Cheshire. The school is a state school, built in the 1970s and extensions have included a mathematics & humanities block and theatre. The school also has a linking leisure centre and arts theatre...
and Riverside College
Riverside College, Halton
Riverside College is a further education college based over three sites in the Borough of Halton, Cheshire, England.The college was estsblished from the merger of Halton College and Widnes & Runcorn Sixth Form College in August 2006...
Cronton campus.