Greater Manchester Service Changes

[Mayneway]

RE: Greater Manchester Service Changes

(21/10/2020 18:27)SF07 Wrote:  Can expect some more confusion for people using the current 396 or 419 routes in the next few weeks.

TfGM's original plan is to scrap the 419 this weekend and replace the section between Middleton and Hollins Road/Hathershaw with a re-routed service 396. This leaves people in Failsworth losing their connection with Ashton-under-Lyne.

Now, after a campaign/petition led by Oldham Council's leader Sean Fielding (who's a councillor in Failsworth), TfGM have put out a tender for a replacement service between Newton Heath, Failsworth and Ashton-under-Lyne, which will run direct between Hathershaw and Ashton via Oldham Road instead of via Fitton Hill and Limehurst Farm. The new service won't start on Monday (26 October) but will aim to start running ASAP.

So, the new route (unsure on service number yet) will cover the existing 396 route between Newton Heath and Hollins Road/Ashton Road before running along the 409/419 route into Ashton. Basically, it'll mean the 396 and 419 will swap routes at Hollins Road/Frederick Street junction.

Would have made more sense to have kept the services as they are but the wording from Cllr Fielding was "that the legal process to cancel the 396 had already begun and could not be reversed. Unfortunately this means that the service will stop serving Failsworth from 25th October".

https://www.facebook.com/cllrsfielding/p...2349162377

Absolute joke. Both the 419 and 396 were good carriers before covid. Cannot understand why they are making such drastic cuts.