THE bus between Oldham and Ashton is back and running more often than before.

The under-threat bus route, which was set to be withdrawn only last autumn, will increase in frequency from April.

It comes after passenger levels on the temporary 397 bus service proved that even during lockdown people in Failsworth needed a bus to Ashton.

The 151, which currently runs every hour from North Manchester General Hospital to Failsworth, will now be extended beyond Failsworth to Ashton, meaning the frequency of buses will increase to hourly from the current 90 minutes.

Last October the 396 bus, connecting Ashton-under-Lyne to Newton Heath via Failsworth, was rerouted to run to Middleton instead. The change completely severed the direct connection between Failsworth and Ashton-under-Lyne, popular with students at Tameside colleges, visitors to Tameside Hospital and day trippers to Ashton Market Hall.

The proposed change came as a shock to Oldham’s members of the Greater Manchester Transport committee, including Failsworth Councillor and Council Leader Sean Fielding, who had not seen the proposal until the papers for the meeting were circulated and objected to the change too late to save the bus.

Failsworth Councillors and Angela Rayner MP launched a campaign to have the link reinstated, which included an online petition that garnered almost 400 signatures, demonstrating the importance of the bus service to local people.

The campaigning and pressure prompted Transport for Greater Manchester bosses to commission the temporary 397 service, which ran every 90 minutes to plug the gap until a permanent solution was found.

The Greater Manchester Transport bus network sub-committee learnt last week that a permanent solution had been found through the extension of the 151 service beyond Failsworth to Ashton.

Councillor Sean Fielding said: “The cynical part of me expected Transport for Greater Manchester to come back saying that the temporary bus wasn’t carrying enough people to justify running a service to Ashton. It turns out that even during a lockdown people in Failsworth need this bus to make their essential journeys. I’m delighted the link hasn’t just been saved but will now run more frequently too.”

Ashton-under-Lyne MP, Angela Rayner, whose constituency includes Failsworth, added: “Failsworth and Ashton need a direct public transport link. The two towns have community links with local people needing to travel between them to access healthcare, education and other vital services. Thank you to local people who supported the campaign to save the bus by signing the original petition.”

The incorporation of the Failsworth to Ashton link into the route of the 151 bus will see the temporary 397 withdrawn. The changes will take effect from April 12th with a timetable being published nearer the time.