Transport Chiefs looking to approve link bus service in replacement of 469 bus

A plan to extend a link bus service to Rochdale after a major route was scrapped will be put before transport chiefs on Friday (21 November).

The Transport for Greater Manchester Bus Committee will be asked to approve proposals after a petition asking for the 469 bus service to be brought back gained over 1,000 signatures.

Councillor Pat Sullivan, who has been campaigning for the bus to be reinstated, said: “It is certainly a step in a direction but I will keep pushing it.”

The 469 bus service was scrapped in September after a number of bus changes were made in the area. Passengers along the route, which covers Bamford have since been left without a bus into Rochdale as the service is now diverted from War Office Road, around Edenfield Road and Sandy Lane.

The bus ran every twenty minutes throughout the day but now only operates hourly from 8:15pm to 11:51pm on weekdays and hourly on Sundays.

Councillor Sullivan added: “We had a massive response to the petition and it got to the stage where I was being stopped in the street. I didn’t mind that but it got to the point where I had to say to someone else that something had to be done.”

If approved, the plans will see the Heywood Local Link service extended to include War Office Road, Bamford Way and Sandy Lane.

“I have been assured that it will get approved because it won’t be costing any money so it is something at least. It is like a ring and ride service where people book on the bus an hour before hand,” added Councillor Sullivan.

If the service is approved, it will start on Sunday 14 December.

To register to use the service, call 0161 200 6012.