Created 17-Sep-11
Modified 8-Mar-24
The 407 appeared just after deregulation, when on the 4th June 1987 Central Coaches of Moorside (Wild’s) started operating a Denshaw to Manchester service.
This service led a straightforward, if somewhat unreliable, existence until about 1992, when problems led to Vale of Manchester taking over the service. They numbered it 82 about the end of 1994, probably in an attempt to attract more custom on its progress from Manchester to Oldham, but the operation did not last much longer.
Vale of Manchester briefly reappeared in Denshaw in 2006, (see the 556, 561 and 562 collection). Following the abandonment of the 562 service a new 407 was inaugurated between Denshaw and Oldham on 21st April 2006, operated by Swan’s of Chadderton.
From 15th April 2007 the evening service was withdrawn and a Local Link facility introduced to the affected area.
From 19th April 2009 the service was worked by Stott’s Tours and a small modification made to the route in that on Mondays to Saturdays buses turn round at Denshaw on an anti-clockwise loop using Ripponden Road and Dumfries Avenue instead of using Rochdale Road to get to the turning circle (at least officially!).
From 12th April 2015 the operator was changed on Sundays and public holidays, with Stagecoach then operating the service which was otherwise unchanged. However, just under a year later the Sunday operator changed, with Rosso working the service from 3rd April 2016. The last journey on a Sunday was withdrawn at the same time.
© David Beilby
