PART OF Denton will no longer be cut off by public transport after a campaign to save bus services from the axe was successful.
Operator Stagecoach placed the number seven and 7a, which serve Dane Bank, on a list of ones it was withdrawing.
But after an outcry, they will go on after Transport for Greater Manchester agreed to take them on – and the current company will run it until it comes under public control as part of Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham’s plan for public transport.
Denton West councillor George Jones was instrumental in saving the services.
He told The Correspondent: “I’m delighted the route has been saved, it’s services like this that are a lifeline for so many people to access vital services as well as employment and leisure opportunities.
“Crucially, it will stabilise our collective ambition to build the Bee Network and take our public transport system to the next level.
“I was in constant communication with Transport for Greater Manchester since I first find out about the threat to the service.
“I sincerely applaud them for the sheer effort that has gone into saving this service and many others across Greater Manchester.
“The situation was quite uncertain. We were working off the assumption the service would be de-registered by Stagecoach, once the Government Covid-19 support funding for buses ends in October.
“That meant TfGM needed to tender the service and look for a new operator, the Mayor and Greater Manchester leaders committed additional funding to do this.
“Of course, the tender process doesn’t guarantee the outcome that we want but I was always hopeful there was a strong case for this service.
“It’s a vital lifeline for so many people, particularly elderly and vulnerable residents who live in large residential areas, away from arterial routes where the most frequent services operate.”
Now the buses appear to be saved, thanks to £15 million of funding being fund from TfGM and additional help from the Government.
Stagecoach will continue to operate the route, with a contract from TfGM until the bus system becomes publicly-owned.
Now Cllr Jones wants to encourage further usage, with a new fare structure – a maximum of £2 for adults and £1 for children during the day – helping.
He added: “We must focus on growing patronage and I think that plan has to be two fold.
“Firstly, we have to target those who haven’t returned to the buses post-covid restrictions, which we know to be the case because patronage is lower than pre-pandemic, which is leading to some of the issues we’re facing today.
“Secondly, we have to encourage those that don’t usually use the bus to start using it.
“I think the way to do that initially is to encourage small lifestyle changes, maybe instead of driving to visit a friend or to go shopping, take the bus for example.
“I think the new lower, simpler fare structure will help with that. Plus those trips will help towards recovering patronage levels, contributing to the sustainability of services and possibly the new fare structure.
“With rising fuel bills, the cap may also help save some people money.”
New of the number seven’s saving – one of 60 routes across Greater Manchester now not being withdrawn or having their frequencies reduced – has been greeted with delight y Denton MP Andrew Gwynne.
He said: “This is fantastic news.
“I’m very grateful that Transport for Greater Manchester have stepped in to ensure communities right across Greater Manchester remain connected, and that the Government has agreed to provide the additional funding required.
“Scrapping the seven/7a route would have severed a vital transport link for local people.”