Let the buses take the strain

Express plans for travellers during rail line shutdown

TRANSPORT bosses hope new express bus services will prevent commuter chaos when Oldham’s railway line closes for two-and-a-half years.

Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority (GMITA) has backed plans for express and regular bus services to bridge the gap while Oldham’s loopline is converted to run Metrolink trams.

The last-ever train will rumble along the line on Saturday, October 3, leaving hundreds of rail passengers needing to find alternative transport during the Metrolink extension project. The proposals have been developed following a detailed study of rail users’ travel patterns and aim to provide a range of bus services tailored to local travel needs.

Discussions are ongoing with bus operators and, once the talks are complete, a major public information campaign will be launched in the summer.

Saddleworth South councillor Richard Knowles, chairman of GMITA’s Development and Operations Committee, said: “We’re very much aware of the need to ensure there are regular, reliable transport options for passengers while we eagerly await the completion of Metrolink to Oldham and Rochdale.

“A great deal of careful consideration and planning has gone into developing these bus plans, all informed by passenger surveys. I am confident the services will offer realistic travel options for people along the loop line.

“Along with Northern Rail, we are also making the case to the Department for Transport to use trains currently running on the loop line to supplement services between Manchester and Rochdale.

“We are now going to work with bus operators to finalise our proposals so that we can launch a major information campaign in the coming months.”

Trams will be running to Central Park, Newton Heath, by spring 2011, Oldham Mumps by autumn 2011 and Rochdale by spring 2012.

New Metrolink stops will be built at Monsall, Central Park, South Chadderton, Freehold, Newbold and outside Rochdale railway station on the Oldham and Rochdale line.

Two large park and ride sites will be created at Hollinwood and Derker and improvements will be made to the parking at Shaw and Crompton and at other stops on the line, taking the total number of spaces to more than 250.