Partington has no bus to Sale after Little Gem Buses cease operation

The 280 which only recently started operating has now ended due to Little Gem Buses ceasing operation has left Partington with no links to Sale.

TFGM (Transport for Greater Manchester) has announced the bad news today (22 April 2023) and until a new operator can be found residents in Partington will have to travel on 2 buses to get to Sale.

Residents campaigned for TFGM to keep the Local Link service full time however it was claimed the service was not making enough money due to the low numbers using the service, to help things the 280 service was introduced which starts its journey in Dunham before coming through to Partington.

TFGM should now re-introduce the Local Link full time again until they find an operator to take on the 280 service.

Although no one’s fault Little Gem Buses decided to cease operations it is now for TFGM to make sure Partington residents have a service to Sale and not have to travel by two buses to get to the location which will ultimately cost them more.

At this time all people can do is get on the 255 to Stretford and get the 263 or maybe get the tram, or the 247 to Altrincham and get the 263 or other buses that go through Sale such as the 247 and 19.

Other services affected by the bus firm going bust are as follows: 44, 84, 217,260,261,262,288,375.

Some people in the Sale area itself will also have no buses more so the services from Sale to Ashton on Mersey namely the 260 which once used to start life from Partington the 261 and 262 which terminates at Brooklands.

Pupils going to school in Trafford are not affected by the loss of the Little Gem Bus ceasing operations although all will be covered mostly by First buses:

• Altrincham Boys Grammar School – 755 & 758
  Both services will be covered from Tuesday by First Travel Solutions
• Altrincham College – 773 & 774
  773 covered from Monday by Belle Vue. The afternoon journey operated by Stagecoach is unaffected.
  774 covered from Tuesday by First Travel Solutions
• Altrincham Girls Grammar School – 758 & 760
  Services covered from Tuesday by First Travel Solutions
• Barlow RC High School – 719
  Service covered from Monday by Belle Vue
• Blessed Thomas Holford Catholic College – 789
  Service covered from Tuesday by First Travel Solutions. The journeys operated by Stagecoach/Belle Vue are unaffected.
• Flixton Girls’ School – 795
  Services covered from Tuesday by First Travel Solutions
• Loreto Grammar School – 755, 758 & 760
  Services covered from Tuesday by First Travel Solutions
• Sale Grammar School – 783
  Service covered from Tuesday by First Travel Solutions
• St Ambrose College – 719 & 761
  Services covered from Monday by Belle Vue
• Urmston Grammar School – 795
  Service covered from Tuesday by First Travel Solutions
• Wellacre Academy – 795
  Service covered from Tuesday by First Travel Solutions