Transport for Greater Manchester has ensured that vital local bus services in the Leigh area will continue to run at no extra cost after their operator announced his decision to retire and sell his company.
The 12 services, which are currently run by Jim Stones Coaches, will be taken over by other local operators from Sunday 19 April.
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) worked to find replacement operators for the services, which serve areas such as Crankwood, Hag Fold and Lowton, after Jim Stones announced his decision to retire and sell his company in January this year.
Four of the 12 services will continue to run on a commercial basis and the rest will continue to be subsidised by TfGM.
Transport for Greater Manchester Committee Chair, Councillor Mark Aldred, said: “Buses are a vital lifeline for many passengers across Greater Manchester, providing millions of journeys each year and accounting for three quarters of all public transport journeys.
“This is why it is vital that we help support bus users and, where possible, maintain transport links in areas where it is a strong social need.
“I’m delighted that, on this occasion, TfGM was able to find other operators to maintain these key links and I would like to personally thank Jim Stones for his contribution to public transport over three decades.”
Jim Stones Coaches has operated local bus services in the Leigh areas for more than 33 years.
Full publicity of the replacement services will be available at www.tfgm.com/bus
