Atherton resident Yvonne Sixsmith boarded the V2 service at Bag Lane this week (Monday 9 May) heading towards Manchester and became the 150,000th customer to board Vantage since services were first launched on 3 April. Presenting Yvonne with a Vantage goody bag and a month's free travel was bus driver Phil Ainsworth from Tyldesley who is one of the seventy-five specially trained Vantage drivers.
Customer Yvonne Sixsmith said, "I love the new Vantage service, it's fast and reliable and I can even charge up my phone."
The Busway services are being delivered in partnership with TfGM, Wigan Council, Salford City Council, Manchester City Council and First Manchester, providing premium services on the 14-mile route linking communities between Leigh / Atherton, Tyldesley, Salford and Manchester.
Over 4,000 customers a day are now enjoying bus travel free from congestion on a 4.5 mile guided section linking Leigh, Tyldesley and Ellenbrook providing super-smooth, rapid connections for passengers thanks to a unique concrete track. Operated by First Manchester, the fleet of 20 new, bespoke, state-of-the-art buses now connect Leigh, Atherton and Manchester in as little as 50 minutes. The high-specification, low-emission hybrid buses have Wi-Fi and USB charging points, plush seating, audio and visual stop announcements and climate control.
The busway scheme, part of TfGM’s bus priority investment programme, includes three park and ride sites in Leigh, Tyldesley and on the East Lancs Road that, collectively, provide more than 400 spaces that are free to use by anyone continuing their journey by bus.
Councillor Andrew Fender, Chair of the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee, said: “I am delighted to see more than 150,000 endorsements of the investment we have made. Our objective is to make travel easier for everyone in Greater Manchester and it is very satisfying to see so many passengers travelling on the busway. Our investment here is for the long term although we are already seeing proof of people changing the way they travel and making our investment a success.”
Ian Humphreys, Head of Commercial for First Manchester said: "Our customers have welcomed the reliable and fast journeys on the new Vantage services. With great value fares and luxury interiors, including with free Wi-Fi and USB charging points, we're providing a real alternative to the car."
Lord Peter Smith, Leader of Wigan Council, said: “Having 150,000 passengers on the busway is a significant milestone and shows the Vantage service is already proving very popular with passengers. For a long time we have been committed to delivering improved transport links for the people in the east of the borough. It is now wonderful to see the busway making a real difference to people’s lives by delivering greater opportunities for employment, education and leisure. I have used the service myself and if anyone has not been on it yet I would encourage them to give it a go.”
Councillor Roger Jones, Executive Lead Member for Transport at Salford City Council said: “The busway is proving to be a great success with local people and it’s amazing that the 150,000th customer journey has already been reached. It clearly demonstrates the demand for this service and if it continues at this rate we’ll be meeting the millionth customer in the very near future.”