Bus times to change in upcoming switch

15 Jan 2020 09:39
Published by: Daniel Almond

BUS passengers in Bolton are being warned to prepare for a major change in routes set to take place later this month.

From Sunday, January 26, the companies which run these services will bring in a new timetable, with some significant switches on the horizon.

Diamond Buses will make changes to nine of its Bolton routes, with the 517 between Leigh and Middlebrook set to be withdrawn entirely.

This service will be replaced by an extended 574 which will now pass Middlebrook and go to Leigh. The route between Middlebrook and Leigh will be the same as the 517, however buses will now additionally serve Market Street in Westhoughton town centre.

In a statement, Diamond said: “Unfortunately, we have not been able to operate the Wigan section of the route punctually, and to do so would require additional resources which would make the service financially unsustainable.”

There are also minor timetable changes set to take place on the 68, 507, 516, 571, 572, 561 and 562 services.

In addition, the popular 715 bus to Wigan from Bolton will now terminate in Westhoughton as a result of “continued punctuality issues”.

And, in the circular service which connects Leigh Sports Village with Leigh Infirmary will no longer operate on a Saturday because of “low passenger numbers”.

GoNorthWest, which runs other bus services in Bolton, is also changing some services, although the majority of routes in the borough will remain as they were.

The most significant switch will be for the 33 buses from Worsley to Manchester which will now go past Piccadilly station to Shudehill.

Regular bus users can get updates from Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) at www.tfgm.com.

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