Significant changes to bus services across Oldham are due to come into effect from Sunday 24 April. The alterations are claimed to improve connectivity with a focus on improving access to the Metrolink whilst adding more evening and Sunday bus services.
Oldham’s Liberal Democrat Leader and Shaw councillor Howard Sykes MBE said, “It’s important that residents have access to public transport. With the cost-of-living crisis affecting people right across our community, more of us are turning to public transport as a way of keeping costs down. I give a cautious welcome to the introduction of new services covering Shaw and Crompton and I’m pleased that residents will benefit from extended service hours and weekend services.”
“The loss of the 408 will impact on some people but there are at least some alternatives. Many areas are seeing a reduction in bus services; however, we have fought hard to keep services in Shaw and Crompton and to address some of the gaps with the current services,” he added. “Service operators and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) must keep these routes under review. We must ensure that any issues that come to light are dealt with quickly.”
A full breakdown of the changes is set out below.
402 – Derker/Oldham/Royal Oldham Hospital/Royton
Between Derker and Oldham this service has now been replaced by the new 411 route. The 402 will also now extend from Royton to Shaw, replacing the 408 service. In Shaw, this service will run via Metrolink, Grains Road, Hannerton Road, Hillside Avenue, Buckstones Road, Milnrow Road passing Wrens Nest. Evening and Sunday services have been added.
403 – Oldham/Shaw/Rushcroft/High Crompton
This service has been revised to run via Higginshaw Road instead of Rochdale Road, replacing the 402 in this area. Connections to Shaw are unchanged and extended operating hours will improve the link between Oldham, Shaw and Crompton.
408 – Rochdale/Milnrow/Shaw/Royton/Oldham
The 408 service has been withdrawn and will be replaced between Shaw and Royton by the 402. Between Shaw and Oldham passengers can now use services 57, 402 and 403. Between Shaw and Oldham Hospital, the 408 is replaced by the 182 and 402 services. Between High Crompton and Rochdale, the R9 and R10 services will cover the previous 408 route.
435 – Buckstones/Shaw/High Crompton/Turf Hill/Rochdale
This service has been withdrawn and is replaced by the R9 and R10 services between Shaw and Rochdale.
411 – NEW SERVICE – Oldham/Derker
This service will replace the 402 between Oldham and Derker but has been rerouted to allow for larger busses.
R9 & R10 – NEW SERVICES
These new services will improve connectivity between Rochdale and Shaw via Turf Hill on the R9 replacing the 435 and via Milnrow on the R10 replacing the 408.