Extra travel options for passengers during Oldham Loop Line closure

Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive is providing extra evening and weekend buses during the conversion of the Oldham Loop Line to Metrolink.

A special package of enhanced bus services was introduced on 30 August by bus operator First Manchester in conjunction with GMPTE to cater for passengers following the heavy rail line’s closure on Saturday 3 October.

To boost that package, GMPTE is providing funding for a number of additional First service 181 and 182 journeys in the evenings and at weekends.

From Monday 5 October, Monday to Saturday evening services are to be increased from hourly to half hourly.

From 5 October, a new Monday to Saturday late journey will be introduced, leaving Manchester Piccadilly at 11.33pm and arriving at Milnrow at 12.20am.

From Sunday 11 October, Sunday daytime bus services will be increased from hourly to half hourly. These journeys have been re-routed to operate via Rochdale railway station to allow passengers to access connecting rail services into Manchester. During Monday to Saturday daytimes, service 181 will also call at the station.

Councillor Keith Whitmore, Chairman of Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority (GMITA), said: “As we enter this exciting new stage of the development of the Metrolink route to Oldham and Rochdale, we are keen to minimise disruption to passengers and are aware that they require safe, reliable and regular transport options.

“In response to passenger needs, it has proved sensible to offer more frequent services during evenings and weekends. In the meantime, we will continue to monitor the success of the alternative services. GMPTE will also take into account feedback from passengers.
“When the new Metrolink route is complete, we will be able to offer passengers a modern, integrated, high-quality service providing more frequent connections to more locations.”