Bus operator apologises after complaints about services in Ramsbottom

Concerns have also been raised after rumours began circulating about the removal of the Rosso Red4 service to Bury, and the reduction of the 273 service to Bolton.

Passengers have highlighted failings with the 472 and 474 services, which Diamond took over from First in the summer. Issues faced include delayed buses, services not arriving, and drivers failing to stop.

Parliamentary candidate for Bury North, James Frith, has demanded better bus services in Ramsbottom following what he describes as “months of complaints from constituents about cancelled and delayed services”.

A spokesman for Diamond said: "We are aware that our performance hasn’t been where it needs to be and this has been in the main due to staffing levels. We are having a real push on recruitment to deal with this short fall.

"Our aim is to run all our services and we are continuing to improve day by day on service delivery and we apologise for any delays we have caused to our customers journeys.

"We value our customers and we want to thank them for their continued patience."

In August it was announced that Diamond North West would be taking over the operation of 18 buses across Bolton and Bury after buying the Weston Street depot from struggling transport giant First.

However, residents said they have seen a decline in the quality of the services since the takeover.

Linda Lieghio, from Ramsbottom, said: "I buy a Get Me There bus pass, which allows me to catch every bus, because I catch buses every day.

"However it always seems to be the Rosso Red4 that comes sailing reassuringly up the road towards me. The drivers are friendly, the buses are comfortable with USB at-seat power and wifi.

"The former First bus service has become very unreliable since it became Diamond with many buses not turning up or driving past bus stops. I don't know why the Rosso service is being removed as it is excellent."

A mother has also raised concern about the alleged reduction of bus services which could negatively impact her 16-year-old daughter, who has just started studying at Bolton Sixth Form College.

Beverley Fulcher, aged 50, who lives in Ramsbottom, said: “My daughter has to leave the house at 6.30am to get to college on time. Already we have had many frantic phone calls as buses fail to show up. Things are only going to get worse if they take away these bus services. It angers me. My daughter just wants an education."

A bus user who asked to remain anonymous said: "If Diamond and Rosso operate a 20 minute service leaving a gap of 10 minutes between services it might help both operators and allow footfall at bus stops."

Meanwhile Karina Ferris, who lives in Ramsbottom, said: “I use the Red4 bus nearly daily because it’s the only one that’s reliable."

James Frith has written to Diamond's operations director Matthew Rawlinson calling for urgent action to solve problems relating to the 472 and 474 routes.

He said: "While the consultation on the future of bus services in Greater Manchester continues, services today continue to be unacceptable for local bus passengers in Bury, Tottington and Ramsbottom. I am calling on operators to implement urgent improvements and I continue to make the case for new routes to improve connectivity for Greenmount and Walshaw into Bury and for a direct service between Tottington and Ramsbottom.”

The Bury Times has approached Transdev, of which Rosso is a subsidiary, for comment.