New evening transport service for Rochdale

An evening Local Link transport service has been introduced in Rochdale.

The new Local Link service was launched on Sunday (1 May) and will cover Rochdale town centre, Castleton, Newbold, Newhey, Norden, Shawclough, Shawfield, Turf Hill, Wallbank and Wardle areas.

Running from 7.00pm to 11.00pm, Monday to Saturday, and from 6.00pm to 11.00pm on Sundays, the Local Link will replace five evening bus services, the 433, 444, 451, 458, and 466.

Michael Renshaw, Transport for Greater Manchester’s Bus and Rail Director, said: “Where there isn’t enough demand for us to continue to fund conventional bus services, demand-responsive Local Link services are potentially an affordable and convenient way for people to get out and about.

“I am very pleased the new Rochdale evening Local Link service will be commencing service at the beginning of May and I hope passengers will make good use of it to access local areas.

“This is the first Local Link service which is designed to replace some low patronage, evening bus services across a whole town and will enable a much larger area to be served than previously.”

The service has been funded by the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee.