Bus services switch to Saturday timetable to reflect fewer passenger journeys

First Manchester has announced that bus services will operate an amended timetable during the working week from Monday, March 23, to ensure it sustains services for those needing to travel across the region.

Vantage bus services will continue as normal.

From Monday a Saturday timetable will be operated with additional early morning journeys added to help ensure that those who need to make essential journeys, like health service and emergency workers, can continue to do so.

Frequency on some off-peak journeys will be reduced to reflect lower numbers of people travelling.

The announcement comes as the Government has advised against non-essential travel and contact as it introduces new measures to deal with the rising number of coronavirus cases.

The drop in people travelling is reflected across the transport sector worldwide, including commercial aviation, rail and tourism, all of which have had to review and reduce their operations in view of the fast-moving coronavirus outbreak.

These changes are subject to approval by the Traffic Commissioner.

Ian Humphreys, managing director of First Manchester, said: “The Government has made it clear that it now wants people, wherever possible, to work from home and avoid any non-essential travel and contact. The number of people travelling has reduced significantly and is continuing to diminish day-to-day.

“To help our customers and give them clarity, we are reducing our Monday to Friday services to a Saturday timetable with extra buses added into the morning peak travel periods to ensure that workers are catered for.

“Customers can be assured we will endeavour to keep services running through this unprecedented time of uncertainty.”

Customers are advised to refer to the First Manchester website https://www.firstgroup.com/greater-manchester for the most up to date service information, travel advice and information about coronavirus.