Passengers are already benefiting from the first of several brand new bus lanes along the East Lancs Road in Salford.
Transport for Greater Manchester’s bus priority package is future proofing the bus network in Salford with more reliable, punctual and quicker journeys along the East Lancs Road.
The one-kilometre stretch of new bus lane between Newearth Road and Walkden Road opened last week. It introduces an extra lane to the East Lancs Road – so there is now one lane for buses and two for general traffic.
This stretch of bus lane will, in the near future, link the region’s first guided busway in Ellenbrook to more bus lanes – and a park and ride site beneath the M60 and M61 motorways – along the East Lancs Road.
First Manchester will operate services on the new flagship bus priority route between Leigh, Salford and Manchester – including the new guided busway.
The service will be run using brand new, high quality double deck, low carbon emission vehicles. Passengers will also benefit from on-board “next stop” audio and visual announcements and CCTV, alongside free Wi-Fi, USB charging points, climate control and high quality seating.
There has also been an announcement this week from another major bus operator who is making improvements to services along the East Lancs Road, providing immediate benefits for passengers using the new bus lanes.
Councillor Andrew Fender, Chair of the TfGM Committee, said: “This is welcome news and we’re really pleased to announce that parts of the improved busway route through Salford are already benefiting bus passengers.
“As the bus lanes can be used by any bus, existing and future services, such as those using the guided busway, will benefit by offering bus passengers more reliable, punctual and shorter journeys.
“As work completes, we’ll continue to open up sections as soon as possible.”
Councillor Roger Jones, Assistant Mayor at Salford City Council, said: “This package of improvements has always been about delivering benefits to the wider Salford area – not just those who live directly on the busway route.
“Salford is currently experiencing one of the biggest expansions of investment that the city has seen in years, in terms of new transport links, industry and housing.
“The bus priority package will help us keep the city moving by ensuring we can get more people to where they need to get to in a sustainable and efficient way.”
For more information on the bus priority project as a whole, please visit www.tfgm.com/buspriority
