BUS passengers in rural areas have been promised that axeing services has all but ended.

Transport bosses say two of the county's largest bus companies have virtually completed their raft of major timetable changes to the network.

Operators announced a further, and they say nearly final, 70 changes to members of the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority.

First Manchester chiefs have promised to look again at some of their proposals. Along with Stagecoach Manchester, they have also pledged to make only minor adjustments to outlying services for the foreseeable future.

Councillor Allen Brett, chairman of the GMPTA's transport network committee, welcomed the commitment given by the two operators.

"Hopefully this means that some stability will be restored to the local bus network which has in recent times been badly hit by operators choosing to withdraw services or reduce their frequency," he said.

"There are still some areas outside the core network where bus operators are increasingly indicating that they do not want to operate services, and the authority is continuing to look at ways in which it could improve public transport provision in those areas."

Coun Brett said the authority had plans to develop "less conventional" public transport options for many rural areas, which may include the authority leasing buses to operators. Members would continue to lobby the Government and MPs on this.