THE OPERATOR of a number of Tameside bus routes has said, ‘That’s all, folks,’ after running them for the final time.
Oldham-based Stotts ran the services, including the 343, on behalf of Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM).
But after more than 250 routes joined the Bee Network on Sunday, January 5, the firm of more than 50 years said an emotional goodbye.
It said: “Thank you to each and every one of you for your kind words and photos – for the final time, it’s goodbye from Stotts Tours Oldham Ltd.
“Stotts would like to thank all their staff – past and present – for their amazing commitment to their roles be that a driver, cleaner, office staff, garage staff and all the team that helped us run each and every day that we could.
“We have a great team at Stotts and we will miss you all lots. It’s been an adventure that I am great full to have been on with you all.
“So, heads held high for the final run of it and be proud of all you have achieved – making Stotts the name that people will remember.”
More than 25 services taking in different areas of Tameside ran by different operators joined the growing Bee Network on January 5.
According to TfGM: “It means that Greater Manchester has made history as the first area outside London to bring all local bus services under local control in almost 40 years.
“It’s a huge change to the way things are run and we’re working hard to bring you safe, affordable, accessible services you can rely on.”
And it has made Sunday services of the 201, which runs through Denton, Hyde and Hattersley, every 20 minutes instead of every 30.
The 330 – which runs through Ashton-under-Lyne, Dukinfield and Hyde – and 347 between Ashton and Haughton Green have had earlier and later journeys added for tram connections at Ashton Interchange.
But seeing a familiar name disappear from the roads has been lamented by some.
In a social media post, Ernest Bescoby wrote: “Big shout out to Mark who gets OAPs to and from shopping, schoolkids to school and home safely and other passengers to work on time.
“He has on a few occasions drove passengers straight to the hospital when they have collapsed on his bus.
“The passengers love his banter and cheeky wit and repartee.”