Greater Manchester bus route 471

EndBolton InterchangeServiceLevelDailyFrequency15-30 mins

Route map
Legend Rochdale Interchange Sudden, Rochdale Heywood, Greater Manchester Heady Hill Heap Bridge Openshaw Bury, Greater Manchester Elton Seddons Farm Estate Bradly Fold Breightmet Tong Fold Mill Hill Bolton Interchange This diagram: view talk edit

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Greater Manchester bus route 471 is a Bee Network bus route runs between Rochdale Interchange and Bolton Interchange. It is operated by Go North West on contract from Transport for Greater Manchester.

The history of the 471 can be traced back to the 1960s, when services between Bolton, Bury, and Rochdale were often provided by different operators, reflecting the pre-deregulation period when bus services were typically run by municipal transport bodies. For example, buses in this area were initially operated by Bolton Corporation Transport and Rochdale Corporation Transport. The creation of the Greater Manchester County in 1974 brought these transport systems under the control of the newly formed Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (GMPTE). This era saw the coordination of services, allowing for greater integration across the region. Route numbers, stops, and fares were streamlined, and services like the 471 began to take a more recognisable form.

The deregulation of bus services under the Transport Act of 1985 had a significant impact on bus routes in Greater Manchester. Private operators were allowed to compete on routes,^[1] and the 471 route was then run by several operators. It continued to serve the Bolton New Road, but competition from other routes and changes in operators meant that the 471 sometimes faced alterations in frequency and reliability. During the 1990s, First Greater Manchester became one of the dominant operators in the region, and the 471 route became one of its key services. Throughout this period, the route saw adjustments in schedules and minor route alterations to accommodate changing traffic patterns and development in Greater Manchester. Since the early 2000s, the 471 was firmly established as a major route between Bolton and Rochdale, with a key stop in Bury. It became increasingly popular for commuters, as it connected several important town centres with regular services. In 2020, the operation of the route was passed to Diamond North West.

In 2023, the operation of the route and First's Bolton garage was passed to Go North West. This change occurred as part of the introduction of the Trenche 1 of Bee Network, Greater Manchester's new public transport system, which aimed to integrate bus services more effectively across the region. Under Go North West, a fleet of new Alexander Dennis Enviro400 EV, painted in Bee Network yellow, were deployed on this route. Those buses were fitted LCD screens for the automatic stop announcement system, which can show the upcoming two stops. Once the bus stopping bell is rung, the screen will show 'Stop Requested' then 'Bus Stopping' wordings on the top right corner of the screen. Besides, the system will announce the route and the destination of the bus when the bus doors open at a bus stop.

The 471 serves the following primary destinations:^[2]

• Rochdale Interchange
• Sudden
• Heywood
• Heady Hill
• Heap Bridge
• Openshaw
• Bury
• Elton
• Seddons Farm Estate
• Bradly Fold
• Breightmet
• Tong Fold
• Mill Hill
• Bolton Interchange