| These services took some time to work out what they were trying to do, but have since settled down - so much so that the current timetable dates from March 2003 and even then the change was only a slight one to timings.
The initial service was the 397. This was very much a Lees area local service which served three districts - Thomas Street, Holts and Springhead. By 1992 the service had become the 418 and worked from Middleton via Mills Hill (serving several roads not otherwise served by bus), Chadderton, Royal Oldham Hospital, Oldham town centre, Lees, then out via Cooper Street, Springhead, Heywood Street, Austerlands, Stamford Road and back through Lees to Middleton. The circular element of the service from Oldham to Lees and Springhead has remained unchanged since, but there have been several changes at the western end of the route. By the end of 1993 the 418 started in Moston and then traversed Hollinwood Avenue to Hollinwood before following the 427 route via Hollins. By 1995 this had been curtailed to just run from Oldham Town Square bus station. Then in 1996 the service returned to serve the Royal Oldham Hospital on the way to Chadderton, essentially a shorter version of the 1992 service with some detail route variations, and this is the current form of the service. Bluebird was the original operator but by 1997 Bu-Val had taken over. Checkmate Coaches of Mossley have worked the service since at least 2000. |
Checkmate's W576 JVV passes Oldham Pool on its way to Lees and Springhead, still carrying the livery of its previous operator, Nu-Venture of Aylesford. Photo courtesy Mark Amis. 1000x666 418020_50140_16-Feb-2007.jpg |
Bu-Val Iveco 181 leaves the now-closed bus station at Oldham Town Square. This was familiar territory for this bus as it had operated in Oldham when new, on hire to GM Buses for six months as their E181. Photo courtesy Jon Brierley. 1000x666 418030_Bu-Val_181__E181_CNE__Oldham_Town_Square.jpg |
Checkmate W576 JVV is seen again, this time on High Street in Lees. It has lost its blue skirt down the sides and the shade of blue used elsewhere looks different, but has otherwise changed very little. Photo courtesy Mark Amis. 1000x666 418070_50148_17-Aug-2007.jpg |
