Go North West to run saved 163 service

Photo: Local Democracy Reporting Service

The 163 Diamond bus, which connects Heywood, Langley and Middleton with Bury and Manchester, will be taken over by Go North West

Go North West has been confirmed as the new operator for the Diamond 163 service between Bury and Manchester.

Greater Manchester’s leaders stepped in to save under-threat bus services from being cut last month after operators Diamond and Vision registered the withdrawal of several services including the 163 which passes through Heywood and Middleton.
 

Read more: 163 one of seven bus services saved in £2.5m movePublished: 20 February 2023

Transport for Greater Manchester confirmed (3 March) that Go North West will operate the 163 service with a subsidy from TfGM, with funding partially coming from money allocated to the region from the Bus Recovery Grant (BRG) and Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP).

The service will have a slightly reduced frequency with buses running every 15 minutes, instead of 12.

Speaking about the seven different services that were under threat, including the 163, Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “The prospect of these bus services being withdrawn has understandably been a worry for people who rely on them to get around.

“In this instance, it was predominantly passengers in Bolton who were going to be affected, and with bus franchising now on the horizon for the borough, it is important that people have access to a stable and reliable network.

“I would like to reiterate that we have heard loud and clear the concerns from residents and I hope this decision will reassure passengers that their bus service is safe and demonstrates our long-term commitment to improving public transport through the Bee Network.”