Oldham and Saddleworth Bus Service Changes, 19 April 2020

A look at the more lasting changes that will affect Oldham and Saddleworth bus passengers

Though Oldham and Saddleworth passengers weren’t as badly affected by MCT Travel’s demise as those in Tameside, there are still a few significant changes. At the sharpest end of these changes will be Royton passengers, particularly with the 402 and 412 routes.

It is also worth noting that the following changes will be effective from the 19 April, in spite of lockdown. Therefore temporary timetables will be in operation, even with newly tendered routes.

An Absolute Beginners’ Architectural Guide to Oldham Cotton Mills

A potted guide for beginners about a dwindling part of Oldham’s landscape

Ever since my formative years, the cotton mills in Oldham and Tameside have been a source of fascination for me. What piqued my interest was the sheer size of the buildings. Also how the early cotton mill architects predated Mies van der Rohr in building such vast structures for commercial usage.

Oldham and Saddleworth Bus Service Changes, 26 January 2020

More tinkering around the edges: nothing too drastic

Unlike the previous set of changes which has butchered Greenfield’s bus network, the latest set of changes are a more sedate affair. Usually, this is a lull before the storm of post-Easter changes.

The Road Least Travelled: The Chadderton to Shaw Circular Route

Is this Greater Manchester’s most obscure bus route?

If you mention the 22 in relation to Greater Manchester bus routes, the first one that springs to mind is the long withdrawn route from Bolton to Stockport. The one that has been split at the intu Trafford Centre of late, renumbered 2 and 25.

Today, there is only one 22 route in Greater Manchester with a decent frequency. A service from Ashton-in-Makerfield to Warrington with an evening extension to Wigan. Did you know that Greater Manchester has a second 22 route?

You Know You’ve Spent Too Long in Oldham If…

A wry look at the joys of East of the M60‘s other immediate locality

Before local government reorganisation in 1974, Oldham was large enough to warrant its own County Borough. On the 01 April 1974, this was superseded by Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council, taking in part of the West Riding of Yorkshire and a few Urban District Councils. This included municipalities in Royton, Chadderton and Failsworth.

Oldham and Saddleworth Bus Service Changes, January 2018

Retiming for FirstGroup routes and a Rosso retreat

Most of First Greater Manchester’s timing changes will be seen on their trunk routes from Oldham and Saddleworth to Manchester. No changes are planned for the 425 service – timetables or new vehicles.

Whereas only three of FirstGroup’s Tameside routes have seen subtle changes, less subtle changes will be made to Oldham’s routes. Particularly on Manchester bound routes including the 180 and 182. The 181/182 services to Manchester will be at the sharpest end of their changes.

2017, In the Company of Buses

East of the M60‘s review of the year from a public transport angle

One of the biggest bus related events in Greater Manchester was the closure of First Greater Manchester’s Bury and Dukinfield depots. With Tameside’s routes served by Oldham depot, Mercedes Citaros have returned to the scene.

If 2016 was eventful, 2017 was even more eventful to the power of five. Testing our city region’s bus operators, rail franchisees, and the Metrolink was the terror attack at Manchester Arena. Greater Manchester also gained a newly elected mayor, and powers to reregulate its own buses. Also a new stretch of railway line.

Oldham and Saddleworth Bus Service Changes, Autumn 2017

Trunk bus routes revert to schooldays timetable, whereas slimline Saddleworth Sunday route replaces two services

No change for the 409 service, loading at Ashton-under-Lyne bus station.

This autumn, Saddleworth passengers will be seeing the most fundamental service changes, thanks largely to departmental spending cuts affecting TfGM. In place of Sunday and Bank Holiday journeys on the 353 and 354 services, there will be a brand new route. On the plus side, another journey option for the people of Denshaw. On the minus side is a more modest frequency and some changes affecting the more southerly parts of Saddleworth.

Oldham and Saddleworth Bus Service Changes, Summer 2017

Summer bussing, slightest of changes 

Not in the Summer Timetable: the 409 service, loading at Ashton-under-Lyne bus station.

For once, a quiet set of service changes affecting Oldham and Saddleworth bus passengers. This time, just a few tweaks to the summer timetables. Some more First Greater Manchester routes will be seeing a few tweaks, including the 58 and 81A.

Oldham and Saddleworth Bus Service Changes, April 2017

FirstGroup reorganisation and tender changes behind latest updates 

Back on the Denshaw route: Stagecoach Manchester have regained the 407 service at the expense of Rosso – though with a reduced timetable. This image taken in 2015 shows one of their buses on a Bank Holiday Monday journey.

This month will see a few tender changes, albeit with some drastic cuts to their journeys. The already bricked-to-the-point-of-uselessness 408 service will take a battering for one. As for wanting a late night pint at The Fleece Inn in Mossley, you can forget that unless the 350 bus or County Cars forms part of your plans.