Have your say on bus shake-up

Bus service 184 pictured on Huddersfield Road in Diggle.

BUS passengers are being urged to have their say on planned changes to services across Oldham and Saddleworth.

First Manchester is undertaking a full review of its Oldham network and is launching a three-week customer consultation from Monday, November 28.

The review is to ensure services are sustainable for the future and to better match customer demand with the supply of bus services.

The company is inviting customers to attend local consultation events or to complete an online survey to have their say on what changes they would like to see implemented.

Dwayne Wells, commercial development manager at First Manchester, told the Chronicle: "We recognised an opportunity to make some changes to the Oldham network, but before we implement any changes, we want to hear from our customers on what changes they would like to see made.

"We haven't made any decisions yet and we'd urge as many customers as possible to get involved.

"I'm sure there will be new ideas and suggestions that we may not have considered and explored.

"We want to make sure that we put in place a sustainable network that will encourage more people to travel by bus."

First Manchester is currently consulting with its employees and collating feedback on how they believe the network can be better improved.

Survey

Mr Wells said: "For customers, we will have an online survey and we're also holding consultation events at local libraries and bus stations across the Oldham borough, starting from November 28.

"We anticipate minor changes taking effect from January 2017, with any major service changes to be implemented from April 2017, so our customers do not need to worry about anything changing in the coming weeks."

The first session will take place at Crompton Library, Farrow Street East, from 10am to 12.30pm.

Posters will be displayed aboard local services to communicate the network review, and further information will be made available on the First Manchester website firstgroup.com/manchester.

The consultation will close on December 8.

First Manchester customer consultation sessions are:



Monday, November 28

Crompton Library 10am-12.30pm

Royton Library 2pm to 4.30pm



Tuesday, November 29

Uppermill Library 10am to 12.30

Greenfield Library 2pm to 4.30pm



Thursday, December 1

Chadderton Library 10am to 12.30pm

Failsworth Library 2pm to 4.30pm



Friday, December 2

Fitton Hill Library 10am to 12.30pm



Monday, December 5

Lees Library 10am to 12.30pm

Oldham Bus Station 3.30pm to 5.30pm.



Tuesday, December 6

Oldham Bus Station noon to 2pm



Wednesday, December 7

Oldham Bus Station 7.30am to 9.30am

Delph Library 2pm to 4.30pm