COMMUTERS will be forced to find alternative routes when bus services are slashed at the end of the month.

The changes follow Arriva North West’s decision to withdraw a number of its peak time bus services.

The 715 service, which runs from Wigan to Westhoughton and Bolton, and the 575 service, which runs from Bolton to Old Lord’s Estate in Horwich, will change from the end of October due to Arriva North West’s decision.

Cuts will see the end of a number of evening services from after 5pm on both routes in each direction.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) will fund a three-month emergency replacement service while a more permanent option is assessed.

Michael Renshaw, TfGM’s Bus and Rail Director, said: “TfGM has limited funds, through the taxpayer, to help provide essential bus services that are not provided commercially.

“If a commercial operator withdraws a service, TfGM will assess if there is a need to step in and provide a subsidised service for passengers.

“In this case, we have been able to arrange an emergency replacement while we assess, for the coming three months, the most appropriate permanent response and report back to a future meeting.”

Under the temporary plans the 575 hourly evening service will be continued between Monday and Friday.

An emergency replacement bus will also cover the 715 route’s 6.45pm service from Wigan bus station and the 5.50pm Bolton service from Mondays to Saturdays.

First Manchester will operate the evening journeys on a revised timetable.

Transport campaigner Preva Crossley said: “If they are going to do away with some of the services I think that is not acceptable. I think it would be better cutting out other bus times that aren’t used as much.

I feel very strongly for the passengers.

Cutting the services will definitely mean more people getting into cars rather than buses.”

Westhoughton South councillor David Wilkinson said: “I think the changes will have an impact on people who need to catch an evening bus. Unfortunately people will have to find alternatives or set off earlier which restricts them or set off home later which would be more difficult.”

Arriva North West would not say why it was ending the services and said talks were still taking place with TfGM about the affected routes.