Cheshire East Council have reinstated the bus route linking the villages of Bollington and Poynton with Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockport.
Go Goodwins has been announced as the new operator of the 391 and 392 bus route connecting Macclesfield with Bollington, Poynton, Stepping Hill Hospital and Stockport town centre. Previous operators, Manchester Community Transport had ceased trading earlier this year, however the coronavirus pandemic had delayed the search for a new operator on the route.
The service was an important route for key workers travelling from Cheshire to Stepping Hill Hospital, and Cheshire East Council had used its Flexilink bus to support hospital staff without transport for their commute. Go Goodwins will run the service from Monday 22nd June.
Councillor Craig Browne, Cheshire East Council’s 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.”
Services will be hourly from Monday to Friday and every 90 minutes on Saturdays. The bus will call in Bollington and Poynton and pass close to Stepping Hill Hospital.
Owing to the pandemic, all public transport users are now required to wear face covering.