There are calls for a new express bus service between Stockport and Manchester Airport.

Coun Matt Wynne said the town has been left without a “proper” express service going to the airport for years, leaving residents in limbo.

He claimed the 199 – which goes to the airport via Stockport from Buxton and is run by operator High Peak – is regularly delayed and overcrowded.

The leader of the Edgeley Community Association group will make his case for a new bus service at a meeting at the town hall tonight.

He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “Stockport has been left without a proper express bus service for a number of years now following Stagecoach’s decision to axe it in 2020.

“The Edgeley Community Association Group say it’s now time to restore a resilient express bus service for Airport shift workers and holidaymakers in the places and at the times and frequencies people need them.”

His motion submitted to Stockport council stated that the 199 is ‘often unreliable due to length of distance to travel and traffic congestion’, and is ‘often overcrowded’ due to the frequency of buses.

It added that there is ‘continual poor connectivity’ between Stockport and the airport.

Buses around Greater Manchester are slowly being brought back under public control, following a pledge from Andy Burnham to offer better transport options for residents around the region.

Transport for Greater Manchester’s (TfGM) Bee Network has seen new yellow buses rolled out to areas including Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Bury and north Manchester.

Stockport buses are set to join the network in January 2025.

A TfGM spokesperson said: “As part of bus franchising, TfGM will be carrying out bus network reviews in all parts of Greater Manchester which will assess existing services and identify opportunities to make improvements.

“The 199 service currently provides an express bus service between Stockport and the Airport, with financial support provided by TfGM, and we will work with the operator and Derbyshire County Council to see how the service fits in with the Bee Network in Greater Manchester when buses in the south of Greater Manchester are brought under local control next year.

“Manchester Airport is a major employment site in the region, and existing transport links and potential improvements would be considered as part of the review of services in surrounding areas.”

The 199 bus operator does offer live tracking on its own website and app, but this is not showing on the Bee Network app at present.

The 313 bus service by Stagecoach also runs between Stockport and Manchester Airport.

High Peak was contacted for comment.