Transport for Greater Manchester has given an update on new bus shelters mooted for Failsworth following a plea made directly to Mayor Andy Burnham.
In September, a BBC Radio Manchester caller, named Eddie, asked the mayor for more bus shelters at stops along Stagecoach’s 76 route – with many open to the elements.
At the time, Mr Burnham said he would ‘have a proper look at it’, ahead of the launch of the Bee Network in the borough next March.
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Now, potential sites have been identified for shelters to be installed.
A TfGM spokesperson said: “We have reviewed the area and have undertaken site visits with representatives from other partners, including the local authority highways team, and this has identified potential sites for bus shelters.
“We are in the process of undertaking passenger counts at these locations and once complete, if any meet the criteria we will consult with local residents, ward councillors and bus operators.”
TfGM said locations identified include Lord Lane, Hulmes Road and Ashton Road East, but added that it did not have more specific details ‘at this stage’.
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The 76 route runs between Oldham Mumps and Piccadilly Gardens, in Manchester city centre, snaking its way through Hathershaw, Hollins, Limeside, Failsworth, Newton Heath, and Ancoats on its way to the centre.
In September, Mr Burnham said Oldham, Rochdale, and North Manchester "probably had the worst bus service in Greater Manchester".
The portion of Greater Manchester is set to be the second to join the Bee Network system, with buses having unified ticketing and branding.
The Bee Network
As part of the new Bee Network, bus routes, timetables and more are controlled by Transport for Greater Manchester from now on in Bolton and Wigan, as well as parts of Salford and Bury.
Oldham and Rochdale's buses will come under the system from March 24, 2024, along with the remaining parts of Bury and Salford.
An additional 50 yellow electric buses, on top of those already in service, have been ordered ready for Oldham, Rochdale, and the remainder of Bury to become part of the system.
The remaining parts of the city region are set to join the system from January 2025.
After Greater Manchester buses in every borough have been brought under the system, passengers will be able to tap-in and tap-out across all buses and trams without having to decide on a ticket in advance, with fares capped at the “Bee AnyBus + Tram” price, similar to the system which has already been in place in London’s transport system for years, as well as many other major cities across the globe.
The system may even go cashless in the future, with Mr Burnham previously saying there was “an argument both ways” and that a decision had not been taken, before adding that most felt it would be safer and speed up journeys to go cashless.
If you have a story, I cover the whole borough of Oldham. Please email me at jack.fifield@newsquest.co.uk.
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