Bus passengers across Altrincham and Sale West are benefiting from significant service improvements that went live today, following a campaign by local MP Connor Rand.
The enhanced services will provide better connections between Altrincham and Dunham Massey, Warburton and Bowdon, addressing long-standing concerns.
The improvements come after Rand held a public meeting with Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham in Dunham Massey in February, where residents raised concerns about changes to the 280 service and inadequate local bus provision.
Key Service Changes
Several major changes have been implemented across the local bus network:
Route 280 Enhancements: The existing 280 Bee Network service has doubled in frequency from two-hourly to hourly, with extended coverage from Dunham Massey through Warburton to Lymm. Evening services have also been extended to provide later travel options.
Expanded Route Coverage: A revamped network of services 5, 5A, and 280 will provide more frequent services with additional stops including Dunham and Warburton, making cross-boundary journeys to and from Altrincham and Sale into Lymm and Warrington significantly easier.
New Altrincham Connection: The revised Route 5 service, operated by Warrington's Own Buses, has been extended to connect with Altrincham Interchange via Broomedge and Bowdon. Running hourly, this service replaces the previous two-hourly 279 Bee Network service, which has been withdrawn. The evening service will operate the full route to Altrincham.
Route 287 Improvements: The 287 Bee Network service now offers a consistent hourly weekday timetable throughout the day, with journeys operating from Langham Road directly via Bow Green Road.
Rand, who was elected last summer, welcomed the improvements.
"Good public transport links are crucial in supporting a thriving local economy and enabling people to access jobs and education," he said.
"Following the public meeting myself and Andy held for local residents in February, I have been working with TfGM to secure improved bus services for residents in Dunham Massey and Warburton.
"I am really pleased to see these new changes being introduced so that the Bee Network can better serve these parts of my constituency."
The changes are part of the wider Bee Network rollout across Greater Manchester, which aims to provide integrated, affordable public transport across the region.
