New Bus Route Draws Enthusiastic Transport Fans

The inauguration of a new bus service to an industrial park might not typically be considered a highlight for many. However, for a particular group of dedicated transport enthusiasts, the opportunity to be among the first to board proved irresistible. The 615 service, which connects Wigan and Middlebrook Park in Bolton, has recommenced operations four years after its previous discontinuation. This marks the initial bus route introduced within Greater Manchester since Mayor Andy Burnham’s decision last September to return segments of the network to local oversight. For bus enthusiasts, including Maxson Goh, who was among the initial passengers, the experience offered an opportunity to “see what it was all about and where it went.” The 27-year-old from Salford expressed that he “just wanted to see what it was like” and to utilize the occasion for exploration. The service encompasses Wigan, Scholes, and Aspull, subsequently traversing the M61 to reach the Middlebrook retail park in Bolton. Mr. Goh articulated that it was “important these areas are connected as a bus service provides a vital ink to people without a car to be able to conveniently visit these places.” Alan Benison, a Wigan resident, stated he was “curious really” and “wanted to see where it goes.” The 85-year-old informed BBC Radio Manchester, “I’ve only been to this retail park once, that was by car, so I wanted to see what was like going by bus.” Separately, a father, accompanied by his son, shared their enjoyment of exploring bus services throughout the north-west of England and indicated their reluctance to miss the chance to experience the first newly-launched route on the Bee Network. The father elaborated, “What we tend to do is go around buses in the region collecting bus tickets, so we can diarise it and say what we have been on.” Nigel Featham, the managing director of bus operator Go North West, characterized the 615 service as “experimental.” He commented, “It might or might not attract enough people, but we believe it will.” Go North West operates franchised Bee Network bus services under an agreement with Transport for Greater Manchester.