Students travelling from Poynton to Aquinas College in Stockport say they have repeatedly been unable to board the morning 391 bus because it is already full.
An anonymous student, writing on behalf of a group of 16 to 18-year-olds, said the uncertainty was causing missed lessons and anxiety even when students reached their stops on time.
The 391 links Macclesfield, Poynton and Stockport. Cheshire East Council's current timetable information identifies Belle Vue as the operator and says the service is provided under contract to the council, with some commercial journeys.
The students' representative said members of the group were unable to board from stops in Poynton on Thursday 3, Friday 4, Tuesday 8 and Monday 14 September. A larger single-decker was used on Monday 7 September and students were able to board, but a minibus was reportedly used on 14 September.
“I want to go to college. I should not have to fight the transport system every morning to get there,” the student said.
Operator acknowledges capacity problems
Written responses supplied to Local Gazette show Belle Vue acknowledged capacity problems on the 7.05am journey from Macclesfield.
The operator said the withdrawal of dedicated college transport had increased student demand and placed additional pressure on the morning service. It said a 6.43am journey from Middlewood had spare capacity, but the students argue that taking it would leave them waiting before the college opens.
Belle Vue said larger vehicles could not be used because of the rural nature of the route, but that it was working on a possible increase in frequency. The operator said this would require at least a week of consistent data showing passengers being left behind by the 7.05am journey.
The operator also apologised after a driver reportedly told students another bus would arrive within ten minutes when this was not the case.
Students question how the problem is measured
The students say ticket-machine data cannot record people who are unable to board and question how the council and operator measure unmet demand.
They also dispute suggestions that they should travel by train or attend education within Cheshire East, saying rail travel is more expensive and colleges do not all offer the same subjects or course combinations.
Cheshire East Council announced in 2025 that the northern section of the 391 and 392 between Poynton and Stockport would become hourly after passenger numbers doubled. The council said the change was intended to improve access to education, employment, healthcare and other essential services.
Local Gazette asked Cheshire East Council what capacity is required under its contract, how passengers left behind are recorded and whether it would review the vehicle allocation or commission an additional morning journey. No response had been received by the publication deadline.
The article will be updated if the council provides a response.
The student and the resident who supplied the supporting evidence have not been named. Local Gazette has reviewed correspondence with the operator and has not published private contact details or the source documents.
