Diamond Bus NW threaten to withdraw service 163 after vandalism causes thousands of pounds’ worth of damage

Photo: Diamond Bus NW

Damage to one of Diamond's buses

A bus service in Langley could be withdrawn by the operator following thousands of pounds’ worth of vandalism.

The 163 between Bury and Manchester via Middleton is at risk of being withdrawn by Diamond Bus North West as ‘missiles’ are being thrown at the buses, risking the safety of both driver and customers and shattering the windows.

Diamond also reports its vehicles are being damaged internally, with knives being used to slash seats.

Diamond Bus NW has engaged with local councillor Phil Burke, who is part of the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee, to help reach out to the local community to try and put an end to the disgraceful behaviour. Diamond is also working alongside the Travel Safe Unit and TfGM. 

Councillor Burke said: “We having been hard working hard with Diamond Bus NW to provide a good and reliable bus services for all our residents to use, and we will not tolerate this sort of behaviour, which will have a knock on effect with local bus services if the buses are stopped from serving the Langley Estate.”

Matt Rawlinson, Deputy Managing Director, said: “As a local bus company, like many other businesses, we are struggling to recover from the financial impact of Covid-19, but we are positive about growing bus services in Greater Manchester and we have continued with our £3.6 million investment in new vehicles for this service.

“This includes branded buses that are rolling out across Route 163; these vehicles cost £200,000 each and are there to deliver a better experience and reliability to our local customers. 

“To have to disrupt service to protect firstly, the safety of our staff and customers is not a position we want to be in but unless we can work with the community to put a stop to these dangerous acts of vandalism we will have no choice but to remove the service from serving the Langley area.”

Diamond Bus NW is appealing to anyone who can help to identify these criminals to get in touch.

If you have any information which could help, please call GMP on 101.