Prime Minister Andy Burnham has backed calls for the return of an 'express' bus service from Heywood to Manchester. The 167 bus service was scrapped 14 years ago, but there have been growing calls for its return.
Heywood and Middleton MP Elsie Blundell has pushed for the route to be reinstated since she was elected in 2024. It is understood that the re-imagined 167 bus route would start in Norden, then stop at Bamford, Heywood and Rhodes before heading into the city centre.
Mrs Blundell believes the return of the express bus service would boost the local economy as well as improving transport connectivity between Heywood and the city centre.
MP's Commons appeal
Speaking in the House of Commons this week, Mrs Blundell said: "Heywood is the largest town in Greater Manchester without an express bus service into Manchester city centre.
"This is something I have pushed for since my election because I know this will transform the lives of the people in my constituency and it will transform the economy there.
"What can the government do to support Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) to deliver this service and make sure people in Heywood will have the benefit of buses placed back under public control?"
Mrs Blundell believes the express bus can act as a 'stopgap' for Heywood residents while they wait for Metrolink trams to be brought into the area. Metrolink coming to Heywood has not been confirmed, but TfGM said previously they are working on a business case for the project.
Prime Minister's response
In his response, Prime Minister Andy Burnham criticised the Conservatives opposite him in the chamber for privatising the bus system in the 1980s.
Mr Burnham said: "We all remember when the party opposite me deregulated buses in this country and left people paying high bus fares – and they still are in many parts of the country because they are still deregulated. They pay £3 or £4 for a single journey and many other constituencies.
"We will put a £2 cap on these bus fares next year. Because we put buses back under public control in Greater Manchester, and because we reversed 40 years of deregulation, we can introduce the service my honourable friend is calling for.
"I used to support it in my previous job. I can't speak for the current mayor of Greater Manchester, but I hope she does the same."
Mayor's position and next steps
Bev Craig, Mr Burnham's successor as mayor of Greater Manchester, has not publicly declared her support for the return of the 167. However, it is understood she has met with the Heywood and Middleton North MP to discuss her case for the express bus service and Heywood Metrolink.
TfGM confirmed they have modelled various options to assess cost, estimated passenger demand/revenue and economic benefits of bringing the 167 into the transport network. More work is needed before any further development takes place, it is understood.
The mayor's election manifesto did commit to growing the Bee Network. Since being elected, night buses have been introduced to every part of Greater Manchester as well as other improvements.
