New funding gives Local Link minibus services in the Sale West area and Timperley

An additional bus will be added to the Local Link service provided by Transport for Greater Manchester courtesy of funding from the Manchester Airport Group (MAG).

The extra funding will allow Local Link to extend to parts of Sale West, such as Broadheath and Woodhouse, which will now have a direct link to Manchester Airport on a 24/7 basis.

Local Link was a vital service in Partington in recent times although funding had come from TFGM before ending it, the Manchester Airport Group chose to offer services elsewhere when it was needed in Partington more, we feel this is unfair on Partington who have lost yet another service leaving them cut off from Sale and we ask MAG to also and fairly think of the residents of Partington and give them a service during the day.

A new vehicle will provide additional capacity at times of peak demand for the service including very early mornings where we currently experience high demand. The services will continue to operate on a 24/7 basis.

This will increase availability of trips to and from Manchester Airport, including the Runway Visitor Centre, with customers also able to use Local Link to travel to other businesses at the airport such as the World Freight Terminal.

Local Link can also support local trips including journeys to Wythenshawe Hospital and Withington Hospital..

Customers can also use these Local Link services to interchange onto other bus services as System One and Get Me There products are accepted.

The new vehicle will be available at the following times from Monday 31^st July:

• 1.30am until 8.45am, Monday to Sunday
• 12.45pm to 10.15pm, Monday to Fridays only

Nick Roberts, TfGM’s Head of Non-Franchised and Transition Bus, said: “We are delighted that Manchester Airport Group is supporting Local Link, which is a well-used service that benefits communities across our region.

“This funding allows us to extend and increase the capacity of this vital service, which will strengthen connections to a key employment site while also benefiting the surrounding local areas more widely.”

Alistair Andrew, Strategic Planning & Investment Director at Manchester Airport, said: “We are proud to invest in Local Link, which offers a flexible, affordable option for passengers and colleagues living in our neighbouring communities to reach the airport at all times of day.

“This latest investment is about increasing the service’s capacity, so that more residents across a wider area will now have access to it.”

For more information about Local Link, including how to register, pay and find out if you live within a service area, visit tfgm.com/local-link.