‘Bus services must give value for money’
TRANSPORT chiefs have said it is ‘vital’ bus services provide ‘value for money’ in the wake of the cancellation of three key routes in Rochdale.
As the Observer reported on Wednesday services inking Rochdale with Catley Lane Head, North Manchester General Hospital and Trafford Park have been axed.
It prompted Rochdale’s transport spokesman Coun Phil Burke to accuse the operators of treating local passengers with ‘disdain’.
Coun Burke also called on Transport for Greater Manchester to instruct the Transport Commissioner to investigate the poor performance provided by First Buses across the borough of Rochdale.
He said: “This is death by a thousand cuts and it’s time to say enough is enough.
“The three services provided a vital social outlet to hospitals, shopping centres and schools.
“For example, the 438 service to Catley Lane Head serves isolated communities. The route has now been culled, meaning residents will lose a crucial link to shops and schools.
“I think First Buses is treating local people with disdain. Cancelled services, route removals, poor performance and decisions without proper consultation seem to be the new normal.”
A TfGM spokesperson, said: “Under the current system, the majority of Greater Manchester’s bus services are run by commercial operators who decide routes, timetables and set fare levels. Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has no say in how these services are run or control over an operator’s decision to withdraw a service.
“Of the 20 per cent of Greater Manchester’s bus services that we financially support it’s absolutely vital that we ensure they are run in the public interest, meeting social need and providing best value for money.
“Proposals to amend or withdraw some subsidised bus services were recently presented to and agreed by members of the Bus Network and TfGM Services Sub Committee.”
As the Observer reported on Wednesday Ian Humphreys, commercial director at First Manchester, said the decision to remove the 438 service was ‘not taken lightly’ and ‘reflects the low and declining passenger numbers in areas most of which are served by other bus routes’.