Vital bus link reinstated

A bus service used by key workers and people travelling to Macclesfield, Poynton and Stepping Hill Hospital, has been reinstated.

The 391/392 service between Macclesfield and Stockport was suspended when its operator – Manchester Community Transport – ceased trading earlier this year but during the lockdown, Cheshire East Council provided its Flexilink bus to carry key workers who were left stranded with no transport to and from work.

Now the council has sourced a new operator – Go Goodwins – to run the service from Monday 22 June. 

It will be hourly from Monday to Friday and every 90 minutes on Saturdays. The route will take in Bollington and Poynton and pass close to Stepping Hill Hospital.

Councillor Craig Browne, Cheshire East Council deputy leader, said: “I am pleased that we are able to support this service and facilitate its reinstatement.

“I am aware that a number of people, including key workers, were seriously affected by its loss during the lockdown period and that the council – through its transport company Transport Service Solutions – was able to assist several key workers with their travel to and from work using the Flexilink bus.

“I am hopeful that during these challenging times the new service can be sustained and is well used. It is important that as lockdown measures are eased, residents are given the opportunity to support local businesses and attend urgent appointments.”

The council had hoped to find an alternative provider prior to the withdrawal of the original service but the pandemic intervened and delayed this process.

Owing to the pandemic, all public transport users are now required to wear face covering.

The new timetable can be viewed on the Cheshire East Council website