Published Tuesday 18 August 2015 at 13:13
Bus passengers using the local 535 (Bolton to Belmont) and 537 (Bolton to Bank Top) services are advised of some changes from next month.
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has stepped in to financially support partial replacement services from September 1, after bus operator Arriva announced it would withdraw its commercial services from the end of August.
UK Coachways will operate the new services, which will run mainly in the off peak, Monday to Saturday daytime, keeping links between Bolton Interchange, Astley Bridge ASDA and Belmont and Bank Top.
New bus timetables will be available closer to the time at www.tfgm.com/bustimetables.
Councillor Stephanie Brookfield, Assistant Executive Member for Regeneration at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “We are glad that in difficult times for bus users in this area that a solution has been found. Public transport plays a crucial role in people’s lives, especially in more rural areas. I know this a reduced service but it will keep the links that are vital to residents of the borough .”
Vice Chair of the TfGM Committee, Councillor Mark Aldred, said: “We are committed to providing excellent public transport and protecting essential bus services as far as possible within the limited budget available to us.
“Through careful management of this budget – which is reducing year on year – we are pleased to have been able to step in to keep bus links in the Belmont and Bank Top areas.
“However, this situation perfectly illustrates just one of the reasons why we are working with government to look at ways to reform how local bus services are provided and managed across Greater Manchester.”