Bus Routes in Marple
You are right in saying North Western was the main operator in and around Marple. The route 90 was on paper a joint route between North Western, SHMD & Stockport. This meant that receipts were 'pooled' as each had a financial interest. Normally only NWRCC & SHMD operated it. There is a big 'however'. Any joint operator could be called to fulfil its obligation to operate in respect of a breakdown or something known as 'mileage balancing' - something best known to transport accountants. Also in those days to operate a route you had to hold the licence. All 3 operators did so. Stockport had a number of 'on paper' joint routes such as the 180 to Heald Green & 165 to Greave & Torkington, but you never saw a Stockport bus on it. However the 90 was slightly different, it appeared in SCTD timetables and even in faretables which were normally just issued to staff, so there is an expectation SCTD might be required to fulfil some of the obligations of a joint operator from time to time. In 1967 and again on a Saturday evening in 1968 I saw Stockport Titans in Maple opposite the Regent Cinema showing destination HYDE but not displaying a route number. I can only saw what I saw - nothing more - no proof.
The Routes in Marple during the 1960s were as follows
28 Manchester LMS - Hayfield (via Stockport - Offerton - Marple - New Mills) terminating in the car park of the Royal Hotel in Hayfield.
It had been introduced as service 14 in 1921, renumbered 15 in 1925 with some journeys extended to Little Hayfield in 1929. It took number 28 in 1936.
North Western always tended to use double deckers it had on demonstration on this route. It saw buses borrowed from Aldershot & District, Trent, East Midland, Lancashire United, Birmingham City & Barton as well as others.
83 Stockport - Mellor
Introduced in 1923 as service 18, it took number 25 in 1925. 22 in 1927 and 83 in 1936.
In May 1966 alternate journeys were diverted via Harrytown and they took number 82.
27X Stockport - New Mills (Circular)
Via A6 to New Mills and inward via route 28 and vice versa.
Introduced in 1939 this had always been intended to be a joint route with Stockport Corporation but WW2 prevented this. A number of Stockport Corporation's Crossleys & Leylands had blinds fitted New Mills Via Disley & New Mills via Marple. I have plenty of photo proof. Never used these destinations remained the cleanest on the blinds.
Introduced 5/1939 and in 10/1963 clockwise journeys became 28X but returned to 27X in June 1965
28A/28X
Stockport - Hawk Green (28X)
Stockport - Thornholme Road 28A
introduced 6/65
124 Hazel Grove - Marple - Glossop
Introduced in 1923 as Marple Bridge - Glossop
renumbered 32 in 1925
renumbered 35 in 1928
and again to 124 in 1936
extended to Marple in 1951
and Hazel Grove in 1961
90 Marple - Stalybridge
Introduced as service 23 in 1929 Marple Bridge to Hyde
Renumbered 90 in 1936
extended to Marple Rose Hill in 1942
extended to Stalybridge in 1949
95 Marple - Whaley Bridge
Introduced in 1936 as Marple Bridge - New Mills
extended to Whaley Bridge in 1942
extended to Marple 1953
82 Hazel Grove - Maple - Mellor
Introduced 1936 became 87 in 1966
82A Hawk Green - Compstall
Introduced 1939 became 87A in 1966
87 Marple - Mill Brow
operated from 1936 to 1962
87 Hazel Grove - Marple - Mellor
from May 1966
171 Hazel Grove - Hollins Mill
Introduced 1938 became 82B in 1959
165 Stockport - Torkington - Greave
via Chadkirk
'on paper' Joint with Stockport
introduced in Jan 1938
