Bolton: Mum shares frustration over Diamond Bus services

Diane Berry's daughter, from Breightmet,goes to college four days a week, and she says that half of the time the 511 Diamond Bus on Newby Road either doesn’t turn up or is late.

Diane says this has resulted in her having to pay for taxis to take her daughter to Bury College, which costs around £12.

This has led to her daughter misses her lessons on occassions.

Diane added: “It’s a regular thing with it being late or just not turning up.

“It has happened since she started college in September.

• ALSO READ: Bolton bus services cut after operator misses out on contract

Concerned mum Diane Berry (Image: Newsquest)

“There is the 511 outside our house or there is the 471 on Bury Road, but two or three of those buses go past because they are full.

“It’s got to a stage now where she is getting up even earlier and hanging about in Bury just to get to college for 9am.

“I even got the Our Pass because she’s a student.

“It’s a one-off payment of £10 which lasts for four years, and she can use the bus as many times as she wants.

“This saves a lot of money, but not when you have to pay for taxis.”

• ALSO READ: Bolton: New bus operators announced for Bee Network

Diane says that her daughter is studying public services and that being late “isn’t really an option”, and that it is causing a lot of stress.

She added: “It’s annoying that she can’t just do something simple like go to college.

“It’s really stressful having to mess about for college.

“It’s quite bad for people I know in the area too.”

Diane said that when she raised the issue with Diamond Bus that she was told the bus was running despite the bus not turning up for her daughter.

• ALSO READ: Diamond Bus user 'frustrated' by constant cancellations
• Weekly Bolton bus fares to be capped at £21 under plans

A spokesperson for Diamond Buses said: “Looking into these times for the last week (W/C January 2) the buses ran, in both directions however maybe a couple of minutes late.

“We always work hard to get every bus out for our passengers but due to traffic issues, roadworks, and accidents, these do have an impact on journeys especially at peak times.”

Buses  in Bolton will be among the first buses to come under public control this autumn.

Service operator will be assessed against several targets, including customer complaints, with poor performance resulting in penalties.

Mr Burnham said announcing the changes: "Now, if you're standing at a bus stop and the bus doesn't turn up, there's little you're able to do. 

"In the new world, you're able to do something."

Go North West won the two major contracts in Bolton and Wigan while Diamond won seven smaller contracts which includes services in Salford and Bury.

If you have a story and something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at jasmine.jackson@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @JournoJasmine.