Bolton bus services to be run by: Diamond, Vision, and Go North West

Greater Manchester transport  bosses stepped-in to save under-threat bus services from being cut last month after campaigners protested against the decision to withdraw the 163, 520, 561/562, 575, 527 and 21 bus services.

The campaigners started two petitions which were supported by more than 2,000 residents in total, and which were presented to the Greater Manchester Transport Committee last month.

Since TfGM agreed to help fund the services, operators then bidded to take them on. T

READ MORE: Bolton buses saved after Breightmet and Horwich campaigns

Go North West will operate the 163, 520, 561/62 and 575 - previously Diamond - service while Diamond will operate the 527  - previously Vision.

Campaigners presented petitions to the Greater Manchester Transport Committee (Image: Public)

Diamond will continue to operate the 21 service on a commercial basis.

The buses will largely run to existing timetables except for the 163, which will have a slightly reduced frequency with buses running every 15 minutes, instead of 12.

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “The prospect of these bus services being withdrawn has understandably been a worry for people who rely on them to get around.

READ MORE: Andy Burnham works to save bus services under threat

“In this instance, it was predominantly passengers in Bolton who were going to be affected, and with bus franchising now on the horizon for the borough, it is important that people have access to a stable and reliable network.

The 561/562 services will move from Diamond to Go North West (Image: Newsquest)

“I would like to reiterate that we have heard loud and clear the concerns from residents and I hope this decision will reassure passengers that their bus service is safe and demonstrates our long-term commitment to improving public transport through the Bee Network.”

The funding has partially come from money allocated to the city-region from the Bus Recovery Grant and Bus Service Improvement Plan.

READ MORE: Campaign to stop Breightmet bus routes closing

The move follows similar steps taken last year when the city-region moved to save dozens of bus routes and services that were set to be withdrawn or reduced by operators.