Greater Manchester bus route 203 is a bus route operating between Stockport Interchange and Piccadilly Gardens in Manchester city centre. It is operated by Stagecoach Manchester.
203 | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Overview | |
Operator | Stagecoach Manchester |
Garage | Hyde Road |
Vehicle | Alexander Dennis Enviro400 Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC |
Route | |
Start | Stockport Interchange |
Via | Reddish, Belle Vue, Gorton, Ardwick |
End | Piccadilly Gardens |
Service | |
Level | Daily |
Frequency | every 10-60 minutes |
History
editThe 203 dates back to the days of tramway services. There was a particular spur serving Reddish and Belle Vue before joining the Hazel Grove to Manchester tram route at High Street.[1] When tramway service was withdrawn and replaced by buses, the terminus moved to Piccadilly Gardens.
Following deregulation on 26 October 1986, the route was taken over by GM Buses and other operators, such as Finglands Coachways and Wall's Coaches, who introduced rival 203 services. On 31 December 1993, GM Buses was split in two; GM Buses North and GM South Buses, the latter of which became the main operator of route 203.[2]
In February 1996, GM South Buses was bought by Stagecoach and rebranded as Stagecoach Manchester.[3]
Route
editThe route begins at Stockport Interchange, and operates via Reddish, Belle Vue,[disambiguation needed] Gorton and Ardwick to Piccadilly Gardens.[4] It provides a more circuitous route and less frequent operation comparing to the 192 since the 192 operates along the more straightforward Wellington Road North and Stockport Road, rather than Gorton Road, Reddish Lane and Hyde Road which takes longer distance to Piccadilly Gardens. Part services operate between Ardwick and Stockport at every dawn. On working days, additional part services are provided between North Reddish or Lancashire Hill and Piccadilly Gardens.
References
edit- ^ Postelthwaite, Harry (April 2008). Stockport Corporation. Venture Publications. ISBN 978-1-905304-17-2.
- ^ "Greater Manchester Transport And Beyond". The SELNEC Preservation Society. Archived from the original on 28 January 2016. Retrieved 8 May 2009.
- ^ Tooher, Patrick (26 February 1996). "Pensioners lead protest at £41m Stagecoach takeover". The Independent.
- ^ "Stockport - Reddish - Debdale Park - Manchester City Centre". Transport for Greater Manchester. Retrieved 26 August 2024.