Bus drivers had to change route this afternoon and police were called out after objects were being thrown at passing vehicles. Services along the guided busway between Manchester and Leigh were forced to divert from their usual route from around midday today (April 6).
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) says it was forced to act after stones were being hurled at vehicles along the route. A spokesperson for First Manchester told the Manchester Evening News that three of its buses had been damaged, and details have been passed over to Greater Manchester Police for investigation.
The Vantage V1 and V2 services, which are operated by First, usually travel out of Salford on the East Lancashire Road and then head through Tyldesley on their way to Leigh or Atherton. But passengers were instead asked to use 'diversion stops' while officers dealt with anti-social behaviour along the route.
A tweet sent by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) after 12.30pm said: "Vantage V1 / V2 services are currently on diversion on the Guided Busway due to anti-social behaviour. Services are unable to serve the full length of the Guided Busway until further notice. Please go to diversion stops."
Services returned to normal after around an hour, as officers dealt with the issue. First Manchester believes one male was responsible for the damage caused to its buses.
A spokesperson for Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) said: “Services were temporarily diverted on the Guided Busway following stones being thrown at passing vehicles. Police responded to the incident and normal services have now been resumed.
“TfGM and partners, through the GM TravelSafe Partnership, take a zero-tolerance approach to any instances of vandalism, crime and antisocial behaviour being committed on the network.”
