Calls for a later last train on a Sunday

A train at Rochdale station

Support the Oldham, Rochdale and Manchester rail lines (STORM) group are calling for a later last train on a Sunday night.

The group says that the last train from Manchester Victoria to Rochdale on a Sunday night is too early.

At the moment the train leaves Victoria at 10.08pm. The campaign group has noted that if train users go to watch a show in Manchester which finishes after 10.00pm they will be unable to use the train service to get home.

The Chairman of STORM, Richard Greenwood, spoke of a rail passenger who was “astounded” to find that the last train from Manchester to Rochdale is at 10.08pm. After attending a show, the passenger and her mother were stranded and had to pay £45 for a taxi home.

Mr Greenwood said: “She has every right to be annoyed; pressure for a later Sunday evening train has been growing over the years but so far nothing has been done.”

A spokesperson for Northern, said: “We’re always willing to discuss ways in which we can develop and enhance our timetables. This includes regular dialogue with GMPTE (and indeed the other PTEs on our network) about service development in Greater Manchester. When looking at any proposals we need to be able to ensure we would have the resources and available track access to operate a service but there also needs to be a clear business case for any potential funders.

“In the rail industry as with any other value for money is key, especially in the current climate.”

STORM is also concerned that in the light of rail works in the New Year bus replacement services on a Sunday night will be operating with a lat bus being even earlier than the last train at present.

Mr Greenwood, added: “Because of engineering work on the same line, on every Sunday from 9 January to 11 February 2011 (inclusive), the trains between Manchester and the above stations will be replaced by buses.

“The last replacement bus for Rochdale will depart Manchester at 2130 - 38 minutes earlier than the last train it replaces - but for the other six stations named, the last replacement bus will depart Manchester at 2050 - 78 minutes before the last train it replaces.

“This is not acceptable.”

The spokesperson for Northern, added: “When engineering work is carried out we try and ensure that any replacement bus services connect in with the scheduled train service, if they are still running on part of the route (which is the case for this work) where it can. The 21.30 bus departure from Manchester Victoria will connect in with the existing train service at Hebden Bridge, this would not be achievable if we ran the bus at the same time the train would have left Manchester. That said we are running another bus service departing Manchester Victoria at 22.10 and calling at all stations to Hebden Bridge.”