First improve access to night buses, "24 hour city" no closer

It's been a while since we've seen any changes to the night bus services that run out of Manchester.  Now we get news that as of the 6th of June First are to reroute their 8, 17, 39, 67 and 135 Friday and Saturday late night services to run via Shudehill Interchange.  This provides an opportunity to capitalise on the growing popularity of the area around Shudehill as the place for a night out.  There are a number of fancy (and not so fancy) bars in the Northern Quarter just a stone's throw from the Interchange, as well as The Printworks just round the corner.

A smart move from First, then.  We just wish it wasn't only a small part of south Manchester that benefited from night buses through the week.  Unless you live on the Wilmslow Road or Stockport Road corridors you haven't a hope of getting a night bus on a weeknight.  All other night buses (including all of First's) are Friday and Saturday only.  Many parts of Greater Manchester have no night buses at all.

People talk of Manchester being a "24 hour city", but if there's no public transport in most places after midnight, how can we truly have a hope of living up to that aspiration?