Timetable 52:14 in the Summer 1972 National Bus Company published Express Services Coach Guide covered the service operated from Nottingham to Manchester (on the service licenced to Trent and North Western). At Manchester certain journeys then continued to Blackpool (on the service licenced to North Western, Ribble and Lancashire United) or the Lake District (on the service licenced to Ribble).

This arrangement was formally known as 'linking' and the different Road Service Licences that were involved had to state that linking arrangements were carried out.

Note also code 'Z' in the timetable which shows the through linking to/from the Nottingham to Great Yarmouth service (licenced to Trent).