BANK Holiday buses are on the way to Bury.

Starting with Easter Bank Holiday on Monday (April 1), bus operators First will be introducing normal Sunday services across its entire Greater Manchester network.

This will include the double Bank Holiday in June, celebrating the Queen's Golden Jubilee.

The move follows successful talks with Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (GMPTE), the outcome of which is a partnership agreement.

This will mean First will operate the current level of "commercial" Sunday services with GMPTE providing current levels of support for Sunday "tendered" services.

The effect is network-wide availability of normal Sunday services on each Bank Holiday.

Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority (GMPTA) has announced that eight bus operators are already committed to the new arrangements and will operate commercial and subsidised Sunday services today (Good Friday) and Easter Monday. A further six operators will provide their own commercial services over Easter.

First's divisional commercial director Russell Gard said: "As large numbers of shops are now opening on Bank Holidays, there's clearly a demand for transport to get people into the town centres and edge of town shopping developments, as well as to leisure venues across the region.

"Operating a normal Sunday service makes a lot of sense as customers are generally aware of the Sunday timetables and that will make it a lot easier for them to plan their travel."

Councillor Roger Jones, authority chairman, commented: "We are intending to enable as many bus companies as possible to provide Sunday services on Bank Holidays and are delighted that so many bus companies are prepared to do this."

Councillor Winston Ramsey, the authority's Bury spokesman, said: "The improved level of services that the authority is enabling bus companies to provide will be of great benefit to bus users in Bury.

"People's Bank Holiday activities are changing and that should be reflected in the level of bus services available to them.

"I'm sure that Bury's bus passengers will welcome this initiative and the improvements in services that will result," he concluded.

Full details of local bus, train and tram services are available from Greater Manchester's Public Transport Information Line on 0161-228 7811, between 8am and 8pm seven days a week.