Night buses on a roll in Greater Manchester
by John Harrington A new night-bus service to help revellers get home after a night out and cut alcohol-fuelled disorder on the streets starts in Bolton next month. It coincides with the announcement of a £20,000 grant from the police and council to allow police patrols to continue on night buses from the centre of Manchester, following a successful trial. From 5 November, buses will pick up from Bridge Street, Bolton, opposite Chicago Rock, and travel to outlying areas on Friday and Saturday evenings. The 15-month trial had been agreed by the Transport Network Committee of the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority. Services will run hourly between midnight and 3am, with a flat fare of £2. Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council has agreed to contribute to the costs of CCTV for the buses and security staff will patrol bus stops. "Bolton has a busy night-time economy and there is a clear need for better public transport services to help get people who go out or work in Bolton on a Friday and Saturday night home safely," said committee chairman Alan Whitehead. "There are two night-bus services up and running in Manchester and Wigan. Both have proved very popular and I am sure Bolton's will be a similar success." Currently, four police officers patrol night buses operating from Manchester, but funding for the scheme was set to run out next spring. However, due to its successin cutting violent incidents, Manchester City Council and Greater Manchester Police agreed to stump up £20,000 to keep the scheme going. Cllr Andrew Fender, chairman of the Greater Manchester Transport Authority's policy committee, said: "The police presence has led to a significant improvement in passenger behaviour and boosted passenger confidence in using night buses, so the authority is pleased to secure its future by providing this funding." The Manchester night-bus service runs to outer parts of the city from 11.30pm to 3am and costs £2.50 per journey. Pubs and clubs can keep in contact with bus staff and the police via the Nitenet radio-link system.
