BUS services on Sunday evenings will be scrapped as part of £30 million budget cuts.
But the changes could affect Warrington Wolves fans with the first day of the revised Sunday services coming the day the team plays Leeds on June 27, at 5.45pm – 10 minutes after the last bus leaves the town centre.
The evening buses were previously funded by Warrington Borough Council.
Clr Alan Litton, executive member for environment and transport, said that it had not thought about potential clashes with rugby games on Sunday evenings and would go back to Warrington Borough Transport to see what could be done.
He added: “We have to make some savings like every council.
“We would like to carry every passenger on public transport for every single hour of the day but we know that’s not viable.
“We have worked really hard with Warrington Borough Transport to get them to come up with a revised service that will have the least impact.
“We felt that with Sundays the key thing is that people who want to go into the town centre while the shops are open are the ones who should be provided for.”
The changes also mean that those who want to see friends and family at Warrington Hospital during Sunday evening visiting hours will need to find alternative transport as the bus routes passing the hospital will be axed.
That decision has been met with strong opposition from Labour.
Clr Mike Hannon, (Lab – Orford) said: “I am astounded by the decision to withdraw the service through Orford, Fairfield and Poplars wards in three of the most socially deprived areas of Warrington. These communities depend on the regular service.”
Clr Litton added: “It’s left some gaps in the evening that will remain a challenge and we will keep our eyes on those gaps and listen to any problems arising.
“We will look at other options like discussions with Warrington Community Transport.
“People should let us know through the Contact Centre about the impact.”
The original cuts to bus services were twice the size of those now being imposed according to the council.
“Whether we have to bring in the other half we do not know,” added Clr Litton.
“If we had been in other towns and did not have a company like Warrington Borough Transport they would just have said we are not making enough profit and withdrawn.
“Fans will still be able to use the buses for the majority of Wolves fixtures with only a small number being affected.”
The introduction of the new schedule is subject to approval by the traffic commissioner.
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