New bus service improvements set to boost connectivity in Cheshire East

28 September 2026

Local residents will benefit from a range of bus service improvements this autumn as Cheshire East Council invests in enhancements through its Bus Service Improvement Plan. 

The latest phase of improvements includes more frequent services on route 39 between Crewe and Nantwich, alongside new evening and Sunday services on the Congleton ‘Beartown’ network.

The enhancements are designed to improve access to employment, education, healthcare, shopping and leisure opportunities, while encouraging greater use of sustainable transport and strengthening links between local communities.

For the 39 service, which stops at Crewe railway station as well as serving the communities of Shavington and Hough, an additional vehicle will be introduced to enable an hourly daytime service between Crewe and Nantwich, operating Monday to Saturday. The increased frequency will provide passengers with greater flexibility and improved connections to rail services and key destinations along the route.

Meanwhile, residents in Congleton will benefit from significant improvements to the Beartown network. New evening services will be introduced on routes 90, 91, 92, 93A and 93C from Monday to Saturday, running approximately every 90 minutes between 6.30pm and 10.45pm.

The council will also introduce daytime Sunday and public holiday services across the Beartown network, creating seven-day bus provision and addressing a longstanding gap in local public transport.

Councillor Mark Goldsmith, Cheshire East Council cabinet member for highways and transport, said: "These improvements represent another significant investment in Cheshire East's bus network and respond to what residents have told us they need.

Reliable bus services are essential for helping people get to work, education, healthcare appointments, shops or visit family and friends. Therefore, these improvements will help ensure communities in the Crewe, Nantwich and Congleton areas are better connected, especially in the evenings and weekends. 

“These enhancements will help make bus travel a practical choice for many residents, which reflects in the growth of our bus network and passenger numbers.” 

The daytime improvements were introduced today (28 September) with Sunday services to follow from 4 October.