Anger on the buses as hits to Hyde services take effect

Tameside residents are railing against the latest bus changes after services to Hyde were dramatically reduced.

Locals in Dukinfield and Newton were left furious after the route of the 389 bus service was changed to stop it going to Hyde. Previously, the bus travelled between Ashton and Gee Cross via Stalybridge, Dukinfield, Newton and Hyde bus station. It was the only direct service between Newton and Tameside Hospital.

Now, the new route now sees the bus turn around near Yew Tree, travelling down Gorse Hall Road and Yew Tree Lane before returning to Ashton, cutting off Newton and Hyde completely.

Sarah Hampson, a regular user over the 389, was so angry when she found out that she decided to take matters into her own hands.

She stood outside Hyde bus station last week collecting signatures for a petition against the changes.

Sarah said: “Lots of people were disappointed and I told them I’d fight for them. When they found out what I was petitioning for, people were begging me to take their name. What is the sense in changing the bus route?”

Sarah collected 1415 signatures in just a couple of hours and is being supported by Councillors Betty Affleck (Hyde Godley) and Jacqueline Owen (Longdendale) in her campaign.

Jacqueline’s mum and Newton resident Joyce Owen said: “It’s my lifeline. I am 84 years old and have Rheumatoid arthritis and mobility issues. The 389 route takes me to Hyde and Ashton to do my banking, shopping etc. It’s the only direct bus route from Hyde to the hospital, where I have regular appointments.

“I will have to walk for ten minutes to get to an alternative bus route, to stops where are no seating or shelter, which isn’t easy when you have arthritis. Getting out and about on the bus means I keep my independence and have a bit of company, as I’m widowed to live alone.”

In response, Transport for Greater Manchester’s Interim Head of Bus Services, Alison Chew, said: “TfGM works to hard to maintain vital transport links at times of the day and in areas where there is social need and where no commercial bus services run.

“Following the withdrawal of the daytime commercial services, we worked with Stagecoach who replaced the half hourly commercial service on the busiest section of the route.

“TfGM must strike a balance and ensure we are serving as many people as possible across the city-region, ensuring vital transport links are maintained- whilst also making sure they provide value to the taxpayer and are delivered in the most cost-effective way.

“We will continue to work closely with the commercial bus operators and our colleagues at the local authority to ensure any changes are mitigated as best as possible.”

The Tameside Reporter approached Stagecoach for a comment, who said they don’t have anything to add to TfGM’s statement.

In Hollingworth, residents have been battling for years to restore a direct bus service between Hyde and Hollingworth.

Last Friday, a group of local residents pretended to stand in a queue for a bus to Hyde, in another attempt to draw attention to the lack of services.

Organised by Cllr Owen and supported by Stalybridge & Hyde MP Jonathan Reynolds, the protestors held placards listing all the reasons they needed to get to Hyde.

Cllr Owen said: “From my point of view, the reduction in services is one of the many reasons we need to take control of the buses to enable people to travel where and when they need to, whether it’s profitable or not.

“Social isolation is recognised as having a detrimental impact on people’s physical and mental health, consequently putting additional pressure on medical services. Enabling people to reconnect with their communities has been shown to have a positive impact. If this is to continue, good public transport is essential.”

Jonathan Reynolds MP said: “I am outraged that two local bus services no longer come into Hyde, leaving Hollingworth and Dukinfield residents unable to get here easily and further limiting the footfall into Hyde’s shops and services.

“This is exactly why I keep calling for greater bus regulation- we deserve a reliable, affordable service and not ever changing routes which impact heavily on local people’s lives.

“I have written to Stagecoach and am frankly disappointed by their inflexible response. I have also written to Transport for Greater Manchester and hold out hope that they may intervene. Well done to the residents for showing their strength of feeling!"                           

Today, Jonathan and his fellow Tameside MPs joined local councillors and campaigners on Hyde Market to support the Better Buses Greater Manchester campaign.

Better Buses GM calls for full regulation of Greater Manchester’s bus services and their petition calling on Mayor Andy Burnham to regulate buses has been signed 11,135 times.

Andrew Gwynne, MP for Denton and Reddish said: “Bus deregulation has been a 30-year failure. What it’s meant is that the private bus companies have stripped out all the profit from those commercially viable routes but cut back all the non-profit making routes.

“When buses were controlled by the local authority, it used to be a cross-subsidy where the profit making routes subsidised the non-profit making routes. That’s what Andy Burnham can go back to now. The law has been changed and the Mayor of Greater Manchester has the power to have London-style regulated buses. That’s what Better Buses GM is campaigning for and I support them in that quest.”

But Hyde Werneth Conservative councillor Phil Chadwick said the MPs were "jumping on the bandwagon at the end of the show."

"The Conservative government has give them powers to franchise, TfGM Cross party have lobbied for many years to get a franchising system and it was this government that allowed it," Cllr Chadwick said.

"They are umping on the bandwagon at the end of the show. If they were serious, why didn't the last Labour government do anything about it? The GMCA haven't overturned any laws; as previously stated the government changed the law so the GMCA now have the power to franchise. So for the Better Buses campaign to say this (see tweet below) is disingenuous."

Words cannot describe how much we love this - Thank you!
Could we put this on our facebook @GwynneMP, @jreynoldsMP @AngelaRayner ?
GM to be the first place to overturn Thatcher's bus laws with support like this!
🚍🚌

— Better Buses for Greater Manchester (@BetterBusesGM) September 13, 2019

Ashton MP Angela Rayner saw some of her constituents on the Clock House estate in Droylsden stranded earlier this year, when the 168 bus stopped serving the terminus at the top of Greenside Lane.

“In Droylsden and in Ashton we’re really concerned about the way in which the bus companies are leaving people stranded,” Angela said. “I know some of the services have been changed and replaced but other people have seen changes that are detrimental, especially for vulnerable and elderly people. I’ve written to Andy Burnham and the Tameside MPs are working together to make sure we get the best services possible across Tameside.

“We’ve said a Labour government will make sure we nationalise and ensure that the bus services are regulated and that they can ensure we get the best services. In a lot of towns that are not city centres, we often see that we get a lesser service at times and people feel really frustrated by that.”