Relief as Over Sixty Important Bus Routes are Spared Service Cuts

Funding found for socially necessary Greater Manchester bus routes

With the perfect storm of skyrocketing energy prices and swingeing bus service cuts, Greater Manchester’s bus users could have been in for a much bleaker winter. The loss of Department of Transport funding on the 4th October from COVID Recovery grants would have seen cuts to 33 bus routes and the loss of 31 bus routes.

Stagecoach Greater Manchester Begins Near Restoration of Weekday and Saturday Timetables

Timetables to run at 70% of pre-COVID-19 levels next month – then to 80% of pre-COVID-19 levels by mid June

Across England, the Stagecoach Group has today confirmed it will be increasing bus service levels from the 01 June. Its aim is to get the country moving as lockdown restrictions start to ease.

Emergency bus timetables have been in place since March to help key workers travel to and from work and for other essential journeys. This has seen services running to Sunday frequencies with peak hour journeys. In some cases, at a lower level than the usual Sunday service offerings.

Lockdown Tram Changes: Improved Frequencies But Early Finish Remains

Metrolink trams with social distancing measures in place to run every 12 minutes

From the 26 May (a date that many Manchester United fans will have fond memories of), Metrolink trams will see improved frequencies. Since the imposition of lockdown measures due to the COVID-19 pandemic, frequencies were cut to every 20 minutes due to lack of funding. For evening journeys, this also meant an early finish.

Stagecoach to Introduce Exact Fares Only Policy

No change given policy for cash fares on Stagecoach Greater Manchester buses from 04 May

Stagecoach Greater Manchester has today updated its guidance to customers on fare payment methods on its services while the current special bus network arrangements are in place. In addition to asking customers to use contactless, mobile or pre-payment methods, an exact fare system will be in place for passengers who can only pay by cash.

Important Changes to Senior Citizens’ Passes on 01 February

£10.00 per annum charge for unlimited off-peak tram and train travel in Greater Manchester

If you are a passenger of pensionable age in Greater Manchester, there’s every chance you will be using your concessionary pass to access the City Region’s buses, trains and trams. In the weekends, you may be able to take a train, tram or bus before 9.30 am and travel by bus anywhere in England. This month, train and tram concessions are covered by your existing pass.

Eagley Band: Sunday Brass at the Boarshurst Band Club (17 November 2019)

A most entertaining night of brass band music from Christopher Wormald and Co.

Last night, Eagley Band made what was their first visit to Boarshurst Band Club since records began. For Christopher Wormald, his previous visit to The Mecca of Brass Banding was with Hoover Bolton band. Apart from a nineteen-year hiatus, he has been part of the furniture with the Bolton band.

Before 1971, Eagley Band were effectively the house band for Eagley Mills, and used part of the premises for rehearsals. Since then, they have rehearsed in schools and has, for several years, been linked with Smithills School. As well as having a brass band, Smithills School is also where Eagley Band hold rehearsals. Some members of the school’s Senior Band may join Eagley Band or other bands in Bolton and surrounding area.

North Manchester Bus Fare Changes: Why Three is a Tragic Number

First/Diamond/Go North West ticketing agreement ends in New Year

For Greater Mancunian bus, train, and tram passengers, there is nothing peculiar about the 02 January 2020. As it is the first working day of 2020, it is at that point of the year when our bus, train and tram fares go up.

Have Your Say on Bus Franchising in Greater Manchester

Bus franchising consultation to begin in October

Next month, the people of Greater Manchester will be involved in a far-reaching consultation to transform the city region’s bus routes.

FirstGroup Restructuring Update: New Bolton Depot Location

Residual Bolton operations to move to Blue Bus garage

Though there are eleven days to go till Diamond Bus North West takes over First Greater Manchester’s Bolton depot, some of Bolton’s First routes will be operated by First after the 11 August 2019. These concern evening journeys on the 2 and 68 routes and the Vantage family of bus routes.

Seven Different Ways of Rediscovering Greater Manchester By Bus

East of the M60’s look at seven unusual ways of rediscovering Greater Manchester – by bus

A bus is for life, not just for schoolchildren. It is, like it or not, Greater Manchester’s most popular form of public transport. With Andy Burnham on the verge of re-regulating all of Greater Manchester’s bus routes, there is talk of a post-franchising revival.