Stagecoach Manchester

[M60lad]

RE: Stagecoach Manchester and Wigan
I wonder why Stagecoach are withdrawing 168s? As unless there's something going to be replacing them it will mean a long winded trip from Ashton-Droylsden now and the other way round as the only route left will be Stagecoach's own 231 service which isn't the most direct route to/from Ashton.

Also there's some unique parts of the route that only 168 currently serves and other routes don't, for example the Estate at the back of A6 in Longisght.

Makes me wonder whether Stagecoach are playing the game of withdrawing it hoping that TfGM put it up for tender so that they or someone else can run it.