Stranded Wigan and Bolton bus users back on road as TfGM respond rapidly to surprise Maytree Travel closure

By Chris Higgins

Stranded bus users in Wigan and Bolton will soon be back on the road after Transport for Greater Manchester announced the return of their routes starting today.

The surprise closure of more than 40 Maytree Travel bus services yesterday left thousands of users stranded in their homes as TfGM scrambled to pick up the pieces.

Starting from this evening, four routes will resume their evening services (516, 551, 584, 597) with more services being brought back over the weekend and Monday (see below for a full list).

Pupils using the six yellow school bus services affected will be able to travel for free next week only on a coach service. Yellow school buses will be reintroduced from Monday 15 April.

Susan Wildman, TfGM Communications and Customer Services Director, said: “I’m really pleased we’ve been able to get so many of these services back on the road for passengers this quickly.

“This has been an unprecedented turn of events and we’ve worked swiftly with other bus operators to secure vehicles and drivers to get services up and running again as soon as possible.”

Passengers are being warned that new operators have picked up their service contracts, which could mean changes.

Ms Wildman said the easiest way to find out more is to check the information online at www.tfgm.com or follow their twitter and traveline teams for updates.

The initial collapse of Maytree Travel was reportedly due to a failed takeover after parent company MCT could not afford to continue to insure the buses.

A staff member told the BBC there was “no point in continuing to run the services because no-one is going to get paid.”

The staff were allegedly very upset over the news, expressing regret for all the passengers relying on the services to get around.

GMP Atherton also advised revellers out on the town in Wigan tonight over twitter to be aware that some of their usual services will not be running.

Here is the full list of returning bus services and the dates they will reopen:

From Saturday 6 April: 

     

From Sunday 7 April: 

 

From Monday 8 April:   

Service 95 will run from Salford Shopping City to Whitefield only.

Service 680 between Leigh and Shakerley, which was a commercial service, has not been restored.

Passengers who need help planning their public transport journey should call Traveline on 0871 200 22 33. Calls cost 10p per minute plus any network extras.​

Photo courtesy of Salford_ian, with thanks.

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