Return of bus service from Middleton to Manchester Royal Infirmary

Middleton Bus Station

The bus service for passengers wishing to travel between Middleton and Manchester Royal Infirmary (MRI) has been reinstated.

Service 18 operated from Langley/Middleton to the MRI until January this year, but due to the road works taking place on Oxford Road, the route was amended to finish in the City Centre. Now that the road works are complete the service has been reinstated.

Every other journey on service 18 will now be extended to/from Manchester Royal Infirmary. The route will be slightly amended at the hospital, with buses running along Hathersage Road and terminating at Boulevard, returning via Nelson Street.

Ian Humphreys, Commercial Director at First Manchester, said: “We welcome feedback on changes that customers would like to see and, as a result of recent feedback on service 18, we have restored the original link. We understand the importance of offering regular connections to the hospital and we’re pleased that we have been able to make this change and offer another link to MRI.”

Councillor Phil Burke, Rochdale Borough Council’s transport spokesperson, said: “I am delighted that transport bosses have listened to my concerns and reinstated this vital service. It is just the ticket for bus passengers who use this much needed service to get to and from the hospital. This is great news for thousands of local people.”