I am planning to take buses from Malaga to various places ( Granada, Estepona for example) but I am having no luck with the bus websites. They tell me a route is available but then when I put in dates, I am told there are no results or as in the case with one website, I have to accept the destination! How do I access schedules that actually work?
Spain has many different bus companies, with different web sites, and they are not likely to publish schedules more than a month or two in advance. I would stick with the old-fashioned method of reconfirming schedules at the bus stations as you travel. If you have a pretty reliable source for the fact that buses exist (current guide book or tourist office), then that's enough to pencil out a rough plan.
When we were in Granada we found the bus schedule to Malaga in the local newspaper. Several other times we have just gone to the bus depot and took the next bus which was generally within the next hour or so. Or when we arrive we ask when the bus on X day will be leaving. Maybe we are too causal about schedules since we don't plan that far ahead.
Know that bus service is pretty regular (perhaps except on Sundays). For most destinations from Malaga, there should be a bus every hour or two, if not more frequently in some cases. Advanced purchase is unnecessary - just show up, buy a ticket and ride. If your destination is more obscure or a Sunday, check the schedule at the station (or your hotel will have it) on your arrival in Malaga.
Which websites are you looking at?
Simply input an imminent date (on the relevant day of the week if pertinent) to find what will be very unlikely to change in the future.
Based on your previous post you were aiming to be in Malaga mid November and the detail for Malaga to Granada and return is certainly visible to me on www.alsa.es
Post where else you think there is a problem.
'I have to accept the destination!' - Sorry, no idea what you mean.