PEOPLE living in Ridge Hill, Stalybridge have won their fight to stop changes to the bus timetable that would have caused havoc for children going to school.
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has been forced to reverse a decision to move the 8.01am service to either 7.33am or 8.33am.
That would have meant scores of pupils either being forced to wait around in what are becoming dark, colder mornings or be late for lessons.
Now after more than 130 people signed a petition and councillors pressed the case, the service has been reinstated under the ‘Little Gem’ banner.
That decision has been greeted with delight by Ridge Hill residents and ward councillor Jan Jackson.
Kerry Whiteside said: “Myself and other families get on the bus at 8.01am but TfGM was under the impression that no=one used the service – there are at least 13 people who get on at our stop.
“There’s also no other bus route that goes up here. They’re changing it for 8.01 to 8.33, meaning children going to school would be late, especially if the bus is late.
“I actually wrote to TfGM asking, ‘Are you going to pay all the fines for the parents who receive late fee fines?’
“The first reply I received basically said, ‘We’re changing this because it’s not a viable service,’ but since Little Gem took over, it’s still turning up even though it can be five or 10 minutes late and the drivers are fantastic.”
Denise Parker added: “If students get the bus at 7.30am, they’re waiting around for half an hour and because my daughter lives on Yew Tree estate, she’d have had to wait an hour in the morning.”
Many school pupils living at Ridge Hill need the 389 to take them to Rayner Stephens, Astley Sports College or All Saints in Dukinfield.
And the reaction to the planned schedule change – plus the reversal – left Cllr Jackson beaming: “I’m absolutely delighted.
“It’s residents who collectively came together and that’s worked. It’s great. Credit to TfGM, they listened and acted.
“It’s a marvellous achievement from everyone involved.”