ELR could be used as Bury-Manchester commuter route

[class47]

http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/...uter_route.php

BURY councillors are considering proposals to get commuters to use the East Lancashire Railway to travel to work.

A feasibility study has been carried out for the plan, which would see workers able to travel to work in Manchester from Rawtenstall using the tourist attraction rail line.

A £17 million slice of the Transport Innovation Fund would be used to run diesel electric trains at peak weekday commuting times.

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Travellers would be given two alternative routes, one taking the train into Bolton Street station in Bury and then transferring to the Metrolink and the second towards Rochdale where the line would be remodelled at Castleton Junction to take commuters onto Manchester.

Transport consultants Faber Maunsell reckon the proposals, which would cost £15 million to implement, with £2.5 million running costs, would take a considerable quantity of traffic off the M66.

The scheme is due to be considered by Bury Council's Executive on July 9.

[Andy]

This all sounds good, but thr only problem i see like with the great central. The Goverment, and the local councils are trying to take preserved railways on a plate.

[ashurstdave]

I am all for using exisiting rail routes for commuting - but I feel once the councillors have a reality check on the actual real-term financial costs and subsidies incolved, they may make a U-turn on the proposal. It is very unlikely that the East Lancs Railway will be able to provide volunteers for a 7-day railway service and also in order to maintain a commuter service it will need to be run frequently in the morning peak and evening peak and most importantly run until mid-evening at the earliest to allow for office workers on overtime or remaining late in Manchester etc.. Commuter flows are very concentrated between set times in the morning ( 06.30 - 09.00 ) but very much spread during the evening periods - ( 16.00 - 20.00 ) - good examples of this are seen on the " Southern" commuter lines to and from London Terminals. Provisionals in the timetable will also require to cater for " flexi-working" and "half-days" etc., which are almost the norm these days in office type environments. Shift working also needs consideration, which is being applied a lot to workers in shops. The idea of a commuter service is a good one but a Monday to Friday line must run at regular intervals and also of course with very reliable rolling stock - has the ELR enough maintained d.m.u.'s to provide an all-year round service without breakdowns? Also consideration will need to be given to the extra demand on track upkeep and purchasing fuel etc.. A good idea but needs a lot of planning.