‘Express’ bus service from Norden to Manchester city centre via Heywood is on the cards

An ‘express’ bus service taking commuters directly from Rochdale and Heywood into Manchester city centre could return.

The re-imagined 167 bus would start in Norden, stopping at Bamford, Heywood and Rhodes before heading into the city centre.

Heywood and Middleton MP Elsie Blundell has already met with Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham over the issue and made a submission to Transport for Greater Manchester.

The politician launched a campaign for a better buses after a number of locals called for a faster service to Manchester city centre.

 

 

Mrs Blundell said: “If services improved, including the re-introduction of the 167 service, the vast majority of people who responded said they would use buses more. Given that two thirds also described current services as ‘bad’, it means there is both room for improvement and real interest from passengers to see it happen.

“Improving buses is good for everyone on the road. Reducing traffic and congestion by using the bus to school, work, hospital or the shops, will be good for everyone.

“When it comes to local bus services the needs of communities in my constituency are not currently being met. We must take this opportunity to press ahead and deliver better bus services for everyone living in our area.”

 

 

She went on to explain that the current provision of local bus services does not provide the means for commuters to travel swiftly to Manchester city centre – holding back the potential for local residents to access jobs and opportunities elsewhere in the city-region.

George Lythgoe, Local Democracy Reporter