Transport boost for Kingsway Business Park

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A new and improved transport service launches later this week at Kingsway Business Park.

From Sunday 10 February, Transport for Greater Manchester’s (TfGM) ‘Kingsway Link’ service will offer new early morning and late night journeys for shift workers, running from 5am to 11pm, seven days a week.

Kingsway Link is a fully accessible, on-demand service. It will pick people up from home – or anywhere in the service area – and drop off anywhere in the Business Park.

The service, which already runs to some areas of Rochdale, has been significantly expanded to run from the Littleborough, Caldershaw, Norden, Wardle and New Hey areas of Rochdale and the Sholver, High Crompton and Royton areas of Oldham to Kingsway Business Park.

A new flexibly routed service will also run to the business park from Heywood, calling at Rochdale bus and train stations.

Councillor Andrew Fender, Chair of the TfGM Committee, welcomed the news: “Kingsway Business Park is home to several major and growing local employers, so I’m delighted we’ve been able to secure funding for this major boost to transport links.

“Many more people in the expanded service area in Rochdale and Oldham will now have the opportunity to use Kingsway Link to reach local job opportunities.

“It’s a fully accessible, door-to-door service and couldn’t be easier to use. You just book at least an hour before travel, or book all your journeys at the same time for up to a week ahead. I’d encourage anyone who works at the Business Park to think about giving it a go.”

The service boost comes after TfGM successfully bid for funding from the government’s Local Sustainable Transport Fund, alongside funding from the Kingsway Partnership.

The Rochdale Development Agency is one of the partners. Chief Executive John Hudson said: “The Kingsway Partnership is pleased to have worked with TfGM to secure this enhanced service.

“Providing local people with good access to the growing number of jobs on Kingsway is really important to us, so this improved bus service is really welcome”.

Passengers need to register to use Kingsway Link and should book journeys at least an hour before travelling by phoning 08456 05 55 05 (local rate). Lines are open for service enquiries 8am to 9pm every day except public holidays and bookings are taken 8am to 4pm.

Single, return and money-saving weekly tickets are available on board the bus. Passengers who also use other bus services can use System One Travelcards on Kingsway Link.