Diamond Bus North West

[Citibus]

RE: Diamond Bus North West
https://www.leighjournal.co.uk/news/1761...n-centres/

Quote:Bus services launches to connect Shakerley estate to town centres


From left; Cllr Stephen Hellier, resident Agnes Raftry, Shakerley Community Centre’s Marjorie Marsden, Diamond Bus Operations Manager and Assistant Operations Manager, Mark Butler and Paul Lamb with a 694 bus at Shakerley Community Centre


A BUS link has been added to the transport network to connect residents of an estate to nearby town centres in a trial period.

The Diamond Bus 694 service will allow people in Shakerley to go to Tyldesley, Astley and Leigh.

There will be five services running in off-peak hours during the day.

Marjorie Marsden, of Shakerley Community Centre, said: “People at Shakerley need to get to Tyldesley for shopping and medical services and elderly residents frequently have to pay for expensive taxis to do this.

"People have been calling for this for a long time and I would like thank everyone involved for helping us.”

Tyldesley councillor Stephen Hellier, worked to negotiate the service coming into operation.

He said: “I am delighted with this. People living at Shakerley are actually Tyldesley residents and the lack of a direct bus-link between the two has been a major source of concern.

"Shakerley residents, particularly those without cars, use Tyldesley for shopping, medical needs and the full range of services and facilities found in a town centre.

"Making it easier for people to access Tyldesley centre will also increase the foot-fall in our local businesses.

"It cannot be over-stated that because of the financial issues relating to operating bus services that this really is a case of ‘use it or lose it’.

The service will also provide access to the guided busway in Tyldesley.

Diamond Buses operations manager Mark Butler said: “We are glad to be restoring this service in partnership with TfGM and we are keen to make a success of it.

"However, people must understand that bus services have to be financially viable in order to keep going.

"I really hope that the pressure from residents to have this service restored translates into actual passenger numbers.

"My plea to residents is simply ‘please use this service or risk the possibility of losing it’.