Bus links improved

TWO bus services in Oldham have been launched to improve regional links.

Following a review of Greater Manchester’s bus network, the changes came into force on Sunday and will be reviewed in six months’ time.

A new service 56 now runs from Rochdale to Milnrow, Shaw, Oldham and North Manchester General Hospital every half an hour, from 7am to 7pm, in a bid to open up new health links and improve connections between Rochdale and Oldham.

And the 58, from Rochdale to Middleton, has been extended every half hour, Monday to Saturday, to call at Bury via Heywood.

Services covering Bury, Manchester, Rochdale, Stockport and Trafford have also been improved.

Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority (GMITA) is funding the changes.

Levenshulme councillor Keith Whitmore, chairman of GMITA, said: “Our intention is to provide more direct journeys between key locations so people don’t have to switch buses, and to also fill in a couple of gaps that have developed over time.

“In doing so, we hope to make public transport a more viable option for getting to work, to hospital appointments or to education, which will, in turn, encourage even more people to travel by bus in future.”

Proposals for other new and improved services are dependent on further funding being secured from the Government’s Kickstart scheme.

Details of all the new services are available from Travelshops and at bus stops.

Bus users can also check their services at www.gmpte.com  or by calling Traveline on 0871-200 22 33 from 7am to 8pm Monday to Friday, and 8am to 8pm at weekends.