The future of three vital cross-border bus services is in doubt beyond October this year when Covid-19 funding comes to an end. 

During the pandemic, government funding helped to maintain bus, train and tram service levels across the country, as the significant reductions in passenger numbers threatened their commercial viability.   

That funding comes to an end in October and, across Greater Manchester, operators have identified 33 services that will be withdrawn completely and a further 32 that will offer a reduced service. 

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is set to give support to a number of these threatened services as it works towards reforming bus services and delivering a more integrated and accessible transport system. 

Councillor Andrew Western, Chair of the Greater Manchester Transport Committee, said: “There is still a lot of uncertainty, but we are resolutely committed to delivering the Bee Network and will continue to work closely with operators and other partners to ensure we have a stable network to build from.” 

TfGM is currently working to re-tender the contracts, with funding to come from existing budgets and funding that Greater Manchester secured from the government’s Bus Service Improvement Plan. 

There are three routes from the High Peak into the Greater Manchester area whose future is uncertain: 

237 - Glossop to Ashton Under Lyne via Hadfield and Tintwistle (Stagecoach) 

341 - Glossop to Hyde via Simmondley, Gamesley and Charlesworth (Stotts) 

358 - Hayfield to Stockport via New Mills (Stagecoach) 

The support from TfGM covers services within the Greater Manchester area but, to safeguard services into Derbyshire, financial support will also be needed from Derbyshire County Council. 

A spokesperson for Derbyshire County Council said: “We are aware of the concerns about these specific commercial routes being withdrawn and are in discussions with the bus operator and Transport for Greater Manchester to see if there are any solutions.” 

High Peak MP Robert Largan is requesting an urgent meeting with Transport for Greater Manchester for more information and to seek reassurances about the services. 

He said both the 358 and 237 are critical services and wants reassurances that the frequency of the services won’t be reduced. He said: “They are utterly relied upon by local residents, who have no viable alternatives. 

The MP said he believes from current indication that the services will continue after October. He said: “I will be doing everything I can before then to ensure this happens without a reduction in service.” 

Glossop residents have spoken out on social media against any loss of services. 

One said if the routes were lost it would cut people off completely from nearby towns, schools, colleges, hospitals and shops. 

They said: “How are people going to manage? Surely not everyone can afford taxis everywhere and not everyone can drive or has access to a car.” 

Another spoke in support of the 237 service, saying: “It's a vital route not served by any other form of public transport.  

“Stopping this service will cut off vital connections for education and hospital appointments. Utterly insane to consider closure of this route!”