These local bus routes could be improved by government funding

A number of local bus services could be improved, thanks to new government funding.

Transport for Greater Manchester has drawn up a list of services across the region which could be enhanced by £1.6m of £220m of national funding.

TfGM’s interim Head of Bus Services, Alison Chew, said: “We have been working with bus operators, local authorities and the Greater Manchester Transport Committee to identify services that might be suitable for this funding, under the government’s Better Deal for Bus Users programme.

“As part of the process, and to ensure that our submission delivers the best outcome for the region’s bus users, we are also consulting with all Greater Manchester MPs.

“It is worth stressing that the services we have identified is a long list that is subject to change, and not all may be able to benefit from additional funding of up to circa £1.6m.”

Approved at last month’s Greater Manchester Transport Committee, these are the local services across the Rochdale borough which could be improved:

Service 17: Rochdale – Manchester         

• Introduction of night journeys
• Additional am/pm peak journeys to operate through Stakehill

Services 56 & 156: Manchester – Middleton

• Extension of short journeys to serve Middleton and provide through service on all journeys via NMGH

Service 59: Manchester – Middleton – Oldham

• Introduction of later evening trips

Service 409: Ashton – Oldham – Rochdale

• Introduction of early morning journeys
• Additional Monday to Saturday evening journeys, restoring previous frequency of every 20 minutes
• Improved Monday to Friday off peak frequency to operate every 7/8 minutes (from 8/9 minutes)

Service 415: Middleton – Oldham            

• Increased frequency to half hourly (including peak hours)

Service 471: Bolton – Bury – Rochdale   

• Introduction of early morning journeys