Nine buses in Greater Manchester will be taken off the road with just 24 hours notice in a bitter blow to passengers after an operator told transport bosses without warning today it would stop running contracted services.
The shock news has also put several school bus services in limbo, heaping pressure onto parents.
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) said it was only informed of the move by the owner of Manchester-based Little Gem buses on Friday morning - with the last day of operation being tomorrow, Saturday, April 22.
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Emergency cover has been arranged by TfGM for several local routes and school routes as a result in Manchester, Trafford, Tameside and Stockport, but nine services haven't yet been covered by an alternative operator and will not operate 'until further notice'.
TfGM said it would now be putting all Little Gem services out to tender, with a view to new contracts starting on Tuesday, May 2.
Transport bosses said the following buses will not operate until further notice after Saturday:
- 44 - Manchester – MRI – Moss Side – Didsbury – Wythenshawe Hospital - Altrincham.
- 84 - Withington - West Didsbury - Mersey Bank Estate - Chorlton.
- 217 - Manchester – Clayton - Droylsden - Ashton-under-Lyne.
- 260 - Sale - Ashton upon Mersey circular.
- 261 - Sale - Ashton upon Mersey circular.
- 262 - Sale - Sale Moor - Brooklands circular.
- 280 - Altrincham – Dunham Massey - Partington - Carrington - Sale.
- 288 - Altrincham - Hale - Hale Barns - Manchester Airport.
- 375 - Stockport - Offerton – Stepping Hill Hospital – Hazel Grove - Marple - Mellor.
TfGM has confirmed that operators First Travel Solutions and Belle Vue have stepped in to operate affected bus to a number of schools.
But as it stands, nine schools currently won't be served on Monday, with the new buses only starting on Tuesday.
Schools bus services with an alternative operator are:
- Altrincham Boys Grammar School - 755 & 758.
Both services will be covered from Tuesday by First Travel Solutions.
- Altrincham College - 773 & 774.
773 covered from Monday by Belle Vue. The afternoon journey operated by Stagecoach is unaffected.
774 covered from Tuesday by First Travel Solutions.
- Altrincham Girls Grammar School - 758 & 760.
Services covered from Tuesday by First Travel Solutions.
- Barlow RC High School - 719.
Service covered from Monday by Belle Vue.
- Blessed Thomas Holford Catholic College - 789.
Service covered from Tuesday by First Travel Solutions. The journeys operated by Stagecoach/Belle Vue are unaffected.
- Flixton Girls' School - 795.
Services covered from Tuesday by First Travel Solutions.
- Loreto Grammar School - 755, 758 & 760.
Services covered from Tuesday by First Travel Solutions.
- Sale Grammar School - 783.
Service covered from Tuesday by First Travel Solutions.
- St Ambrose College - 719 & 761.
Services covered from Monday by Belle Vue.
- Urmston Grammar School - 795.
Service covered from Tuesday by First Travel Solutions.
- Wellacre Academy - 795.
Service covered from Tuesday by First Travel Solutions.
Meanwhile, three commercial Little Gem buses have been saved as operator First Manchester has stepped in, with services starting on Monday. Any Sunday services will not run.
They are:
- 336 - Ashton-under-Lyne - Smallshaw - Hazelhurst - Hurst circular.
- 337 - Ashton-under-Lyne - Hurst - Hazelhurst - Smallshaw circular
- 389 - Ashton-under-Lyne - Stalybridge - Dukinfield circular
TfGM said in arranging emergency cover, priority was given to school services and routes where passengers have 'fewer travel options'.
TfGM's deputy director of bus, Alison Chew, said: "I would like to thank those operators who have been able to provide emergency cover to ensure as many people as possible – in particular young people – are not impacted by these service withdrawals, which we were only informed about this morning.
"Our team has prioritised school bus services and those where passengers have limited alternatives but unfortunately, due to the lack of notice and availability of other buses and drivers, we've not been able to cover them all.
"We will continue to work with operators to find a more permanent solution and will of course keep people informed of any changes.
"I'd encourage passengers who use these services to plan their journeys in advance and check our website and social media channels for the latest information and advice."
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