All change on the re-routed buses

CHANGES have been made to two Oldham bus services to get them running on time after traffic congestion caused delays.

Alterations to the 419 and 149 services took effect yesterday.

Both services operate every 30 minutes, Monday to Saturday, during the day. The 419 provides links across Oldham, Tameside and Rochdale, while the subsidised 149 service operates between Oldham, Hollinwood, Moston, North Manchester General Hospital, Cheetham Hill and Manchester.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) chiefs carried out route surveys, which identified areas where re-routing would help the services keep to the timetable.

Surveys identified low passenger numbers using the 419 in the Firwood Park area so it will be re-routed to operate along Middleton Road and Oldham Road, no longer serving Firwood Park, Laurel Avenue and Mills Hill Road.

In order to maintain connections with Middleton and Chadderton, the Middleton Local Link will be extended to cover Firwood Park between 7am and 6pm, Mondays to Saturdays.

Low passenger numbers using the 149 bus service were identified along Drury Lane, Coalshaw Green Road and Stanley Road in Chadderton, where the alternative 81 and 188 bus services are available on part of the route.

The 81 provides frequent links along Coalshaw Green Road to Oldham and Moston while the 188 provides an hourly link along Drury Lane to Morrison’s in Hollinwood.

The 149 will be re-routed to operate from Manchester Road to Chamber Road, no longer serving Drury Lane, Coalshaw Green Road and Stanley Road.

Michael Renshaw, TfGM’s bus and rail director, said: “The 419 covers a nine-mile route, with each journey taking 40 minutes to complete and providing links across three districts. The 149 covers a very extensive route of 11 miles, with each journey taking 70 minutes to complete.

“Unfortunately congestion on the routes has created timing issues for this services, which has a knock-on effect for services throughout the rest of the day as well as impacting on passengers.

Passengers can check their services before travelling by calling Traveline on 0871 200 22 33. Lines are open from 7am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 8pm at weekends.