Bus service withdrawals anger local residents

Buses at the new bus station

Local residents are angry at the withdrawal of a number of bus services across the Rochdale borough by Transport for Greater Manchester and First.

Reported by Rochdale Online on Friday 25 July, the following bus services have been changed or withdrawn completely from the timetable:

• The service Littleborough-Hollingworth Lake-Milnrow bus is to be withdrawn. 
• 458 Littleborough – Rochdale, Run by First Manchester/Rosso. Monday to Saturday journeys are withdrawn and partly replaced by bus 456. 
• 451 Peppermint Bridge – Rochdale. Run by First Manchester. Most Monday to Saturday daytime journeys are withdrawn and partly replaced by re-routed bus 462. 
• 452 Littleborough – Rochdale. Run by First Manchester. Withdrawn. 
• 455 Stansfield – Rochdale. Run by First Manchester. Monday to Saturday daytime journeys are withdrawn and partly replaced by extended bus 456. 

Daytime journeys on Sundays and public holidays are retimed. Monday to Saturday evening journeys will be run S&S Travel Services and Sunday and public holiday journeys by Rosso.

Reacting to the news, one resident said: “'I’m glad I don't shop in Rochdale - easier to go to Manchester from Smithy Bridge. Way to go First, that will be less people visiting the town.”

Another said: “Massive impact on those living in Smithy Bridge. With no 452 residents now have no way of getting into Milnrow meaning no access to the tram, difficulty accessing buses to Oldham and has anyone considered the impact on school children at Hollingworth? Without the 452 many pupils will find it difficult to access out of school activities.”

One resident who contacted Rochdale Online described the withdrawals as “disgusting” and said: “When was formal notice given to allow the public to air their views? By end of January 2015 will there be any service to replace or will people be left in the lurch? This news will devastate the elderly population who either don't or cannot drive.”

TfGM’s Head of Bus, Howard Hartley, said: “In planning these upcoming service changes alongside First, we’ve balanced the need to make essential savings while ensuring that bus links are still provided in areas and at times where there is a clear demand for them.

“We’ve taken the opportunity to simplify routes and timetables for passengers, by bringing the routes of Sunday and evening services we continue to pay for in line with the daytime routes on a number of services.

“We continue to encourage bus operators to start running more services commercially, to take the pressure off the limited public funding available to us to support bus routes. I’m pleased that First has decided to run a largely commercial half hourly 456 service from Rochdale to Stubley via Hollingworth Lake and Littleborough, with TfGM supporting part of the route to maintain transport links in the area.

“This is the kind of transport solution that reduces the cost to the taxpayer while making sure passengers still have access to bus services. We will continue to work with Greater Manchester’s bus operators to ensure this approach continues.”

Ian Humphreys, First’s Head of Commercial for Manchester, said: “Where services have been reviewed with TfGM, we have worked together to ensure the majority of passengers continue to be provided with access to bus services. In some cases First has stepped in to operate some routes commercially that were previously provided on a contract basis. We'll continue to work with our customers, partners and the local community to provide the best level of service.”