New early morning bus services

First Bus

First Bus is introducing new early morning services on routes in the borough.

New services will include:

Route 17 

• 06.05 (Sundays and Bank Holidays) Middleton to Manchester. 
• 06.07 (Sundays and Bank Holidays) Rochdale to Manchester. 

Route 409 

• 05.00 & 06.30 (Monday to Friday) Ashton to Rochdale.
• 05.19 (Saturday only) Oldham to Rochdale.

Route 471 

• 05.55 (Monday to Friday) Bolton to Rochdale.

The frequency of evening services on the 118 service from Middleton to Manchester via Middleton Junction has also been increased.

Furthermore, at a meeting of the Bus Network Sub-Committee held on 10 July 2015, it had been reported that the contract for service 131, which consists of two morning peak journeys at 7.15am and 7.50am from Boarshaw and Alkrington and one afternoon peak journey at 17.10pm from Manchester, Albert Square was no longer sustainable, with recommendation to withdraw the 7.50am journey, effective from 22 January 2016.

Following concerns raised by Middleton councillor, Phil Burke, negotiations were held with Stagecoach Manchester and, at the sub-committee meeting on 9 October 2015, notice was received of an agreement that states a partial replacement to the 131 service could be provided to ensure the two morning services.