Speedwell Travel to run daytime 343 service
It was announced in this week’s Tameside Advertiser that the daytime 343 service will continue to after the 15 April 2007.
As stated elsewhere within this blog, First Manchester had decided to withdraw the daytime service linking Oldham and Hyde with Dukinfield and Stalybridge. In a recent turn of events, Hyde company Speedwell Travel have stepped in and have agreed to run the 343 between Mossley Brookbottom, Stalybridge, Dukinfield and Hyde. This service will be operated on a commercial basis with no subsidy from GMPTE with an hourly frequency throughout the day. First Manchester will continue to operate the Sunday, Bank Holiday and evening services.
In the last five years, Speedwell Travel has established itself as a bus operator with modern white Optare Solo buses covering most of its routes. Originally operating from Glossop, the increased number of commercial and subsidised routes has seen the company move to the former Stuart’s garage in Raglan Street, Hyde. Routes operated by the company include the 41 (Ashton – Dukinfield Circular), the 394 (Glossop – Hazel Grove) and the 202 (Hyde – Mottram – Glossop).
The loss of the 343 as a full time route would have seen Dukinfield denied a direct link with Mossley and a quicker route to Hyde. It would have left Flowery Field railway station without decent bus connections.
Please support this route, and all the best to the staff at Speedwell Travel.
S.V, 30 March 2007.
