I'm sat on the 1646 from MAN to BPN as we speak. Everyday the service is chronically overcrowded, crushed in like sardines, and first class empty (not been declassified, but that's a different story altogether)
So, my point is that when the timetable changes are introduced and Bolton loses the Scotland services it is going to be an absolute nightmare. Northern haven't got the stock to strengthen services so to maintain the status quo, and it appears that TPE will not be using the freed up 185's on other routes through Bolton. An already chronically over crowded line (that has been overcrowded for many years) is going to get a whole lot worse.
What with the fare increase as well it might be time to get back in the car
I like the idea of a Bolton - Manc shuttle services. There's definitely the demand, but not enough rolling stock at the moment. I'm unsure how this would work sound current workings and available paths