New bus services to ease hospital travel for patients

PATIENTS will find it easier to get to hospital appointments following the launch of two new bus services.

Last year, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) was urged to lay on a direct bus service from Rochdale to North Manchester General Hospital to make it easier for patients to get to it.

Now a flexible service operated by Stott’s Tours will run between the town centre to North Manchester General Hospital via Middleton.

And a Pennine Local Link service will operate on Mondays to Fridays from 5am to 7pm from Littleborough, Smallbridge and Milnrow to the Royal Oldham. To use it, passengers need to register to book journeys online or by phone for up to one week before.

Passengers can get picked up or dropped off at home or anywhere in the service area.

Coun Mark Aldred, vice-chairman of the TfGM committee, said: “The launch of these two transport services emphasises our commit- ●●Rochdale council leader Richard Farnell (left) Coun Mark Aldred, vice-chairman of Transport for Greater Manchester, announced two new bus services from Rochdale to North Manchester and Royal Oldham hospitals ment to making travel easier, by providing accessible ways of making essential journeys.

“Local Link is an affordable, easy to use way to get around and I’m pleased to see it running in these new areas, offering sustainable transport links to local healthcare.

“As well as offering vital local transport links, people can use the service to connect with bus and Metrolink services, opening up even more travel opportunities.”

Council leader Richard Farnell, who lobbied transport bosses to improve bus services, said: “Many health services residents in Rochdale need to access are now based at North Manchester General and the Royal Oldham hospitals, so it’s vital that they can get to these places quickly, easily and cheaply.

“Myself and my colleagues have been working with TFGM to get this new service launched and I’m delighted that it’s ready to hit the road.”

Pennine Local Link will offer a range of fares which will include concessions, singles, returns, four-day and weekly tickets. Customers can either buy tickets from the driver or on their smartphones using the Get Me There app.

Journeys can be booked online by ringing 0161 200 6012.

The line is open 7am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 8pm on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays.

To find out more, register to use the Pennine Local Link or book a journey, visit tfgm.com/locallink