The X67: A Lost Bus Routes of Greater Manchester Special

Remembering Manchester’s express route to Chesterfield which, at one time, continued to Lincoln

The East Midland Bus Station has changed dramatically since North Western Road Car Company was one of the X67’s joint operators. Image by Barry W*******, 2011. (Creative Commons License: Attribution-Some Rights Reserved).

Once upon a time, almost fifty years ago, it was possible to cross the Pennines by bus from Manchester, via a number of different routes. Without a change of bus en route. Today, there are only three routes where you can do just that. Two of which are National Express coach services: the 351 to Sheffield, and the 060 to Leeds via the M62. The only proper service bus to do that is First Greater Manchester’s 184 service to Huddersfield.

Advertisements

J.A. Griffiths’ Bus Routes: A Lost Bus Routes of Greater Manchester Special

A look at the 223 and 227 routes from Hyde

A steam engine shed in Dinting formerly part of the Dinting Railway Centre, close to the terminus of the long forgotten 227 service. Image by Trevor King (Creative Commons License: Attribution-Some Rights Reserved).

The start of bus deregulation gave us a mix of smaller operators, trying to muscle in on the big boys’ territory. Some had great success, identifying niche markets and developing new bus routes. Among the new wave of bus operators were established coach operators. Some of which, like Mayne of Manchester, had operated buses in their earlier years, and prior to deregulation.

Tameside and Glossop Bus Service Changes, Autumn 2017

School day timetables restored plus some changes to Stalybridge routes

Back to normal: the 216 route, outside Ashton bus station.

• First Greater Manchester withdraws Stalybridge journeys on 408 route;
• Sunday and Bank Holiday journeys of 353 and 354 withdrawn and replaced by new 355 service;
• Plus the usual minor changes, and details of services reverting to school day timetables.

This Autumn’s set of changes make for mixed reading in the borough. Unless you live in Stalybridge or the Roughtown area of Mossley. Both areas are at the sharpest end of cuts to tendered and commercial services from the 03 September.

Tameside and Glossop Bus Service Changes, Summer 2017

Summertime timetables and a subtle service review

The normal bus of choice on the 216 route, outside Ashton bus station.

For the first time in a good while, we have little to say about this summer’s set of service changes. All but one set of service changes entail the Summer timetables.

Glossop Old Band (Summer 2017): Summer Brass at Boarshurst Band Club

How The Marcus and Duncan Show made for a smashing concert

As with the previous gigs at The World Famous Boarshurst Band Club, Glossop Old Band gave us another great performance. Putting it briefly, it was a tight performance, suitable for brass banding aficionados and anyone new to the joys of brass band concerts.

Tameside and Glossop Bus Service Changes, April 2017

Subtle changes but Stalybridge and Dukinfield passengers at sharpest end of two major changes

• Minimal changes to First services, in spite of depot closure;
• Cuts to evening journeys of 340 service;
• 169 service curtailed on weekdays and Saturdays;
• First and Stagecoach retimings.

First Greater Manchester’s journeys of the 346 service, unaffected by the latest service changes.

For passengers within the Tameside and Glossop area, the biggest story behind this month’s service changes is the closure of Dukinfield garage. It has been stated that any changes to First Greater Manchester routes would be negligible.

Tintwistle Band: Sunday Brass at the Boarshurst Band Club (February 2017)

Another sparkling display from Tintwistle Band

What can be said about any concert under the tutelage of Sarah Groarke-Booth other than its sleek programme? On a freezing February night, some hardy souls (this reviewer included) braved the zero celsius temperatures for the warm reception of an iconic brass banding venue. Warming the otherwise frozen audience was another sound Tintwistle performance.

Tameside and Saddleworth Bus Changes Extra, Winter 2017

Changes to South Pennine Community Transport and Tameside Local Link services

South Pennine Community Transport’s then newly formed 352 service outside The Commercial Hotel, Uppermill.

Since our Tameside and Saddleworth area bus service changes articles went to press, here’s news of a couple of changes that have escaped our radar.

Tameside and Glossop Bus Service Changes, January 2017

Winter changes dominated by Stagecoach retimings

• Cuts to night buses on 201 and 216 routes;
• Reductions to some peak hour journeys;
• First and Stagecoach retimings.

The 330: one of a handful of Stagecoach routes being retimed.

True to form, the late January changes for 2017 are another lull before April’s storm. The bulk of this year’s first changes are retimings on Stagecoach Manchester’s part. Some of which entail the withdrawal of some journeys, mainly outside the peaks in the small hours or before the witching hour.