HELP is at hand for people unable to find transport to visit relatives in hospital over Christmas and the New Year.
A special free service is being provided for the ninth year running .
Few buses run on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day, leaving many people who do not have cars unable to travel to hospitals.
But the free door-to-door service will pick up visitors from their homes in cars, taxis or minibus and take them to the relevant hospital.
Councillor Guy Harkin, Bolton spokesman for the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority, which has teamed up with Community Minibus Agency to provide the service, said: "Christmas is a magical time of year for most people, but we must not forget that there are many people who find it to be a time of increased loneliness and isolation."
The door-to-door service can be booked through staff at local hospitals and hospices.
Cllr Harkin also welcomed news that night buses will be running between Manchester and Bolton early on New Year's morning, helping lrevellers to get home safely.
Leaflets with details of bus, tram and train times over Christmas and New Year are now available. For further details call 0161 228 7811, between 8am and 8pm, or visit www.gmpte.com
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