THE NUMBER of buses running to Bolton General Hospital is set to increase dramatically. From September, 13 buses will run to the Farnworth hospital, compared with seven operating currently.

The Passenger Transport Executive has been working closely with Bolton Hospitals Trust over the past 12 months.

Routes have been worked out with bus operators to try to ensure each area of the borough is covered.

Talks are continuing into the possibility of introducing a "through bus ticket".

This would enable passengers who have to catch a bus out of town and change in the town centre for the hospital to pay just once.

Mr George Bosewll, bus services co-ordinator with GMPTE, said: "The vast majority of bus operators are taking something of a risk.

"If the passengers do not materialise and many of the buses are running empty, then they could very well be withdrawn. It is up to the passengers to make sure this does not happen. "It will never be possible to have a direct service from every part of the borough to the Bolton General site, but these proposals represent a very real improvement in provision."

Leaflets and timetables are to be drawn up and will soon be available to passengers, as well as a telephone helpline.

Bus stops and buses specifically serving Bolton General Hospital will be clearly marked.

The list of Bus Services expected to serve Bolton General Hospital from September are as follows:

6A Manchester-Walkden-Little Hulton-BGH-Bolton

30 Manchester-Walkden-Little Hulton-Farnworth-BGH-Bolton

31 Manchester-Walkden-Little Hulton-Farnworth-BGH-Bolton

501 Ringley Bridge-Farnworth-BGH-Bolton-Moss Bank Way

502 Farnworth-BGH-Bolton-Barrow Bridge

521 Blackrod-Horwich-Lostock-Westhoughton-BGH-Farnworth-Little Lever

525 BGH-Bolton-Halliwell Road-Moss Bank Way-Astley Bridge-Ainsworth Lane

527 Ainsworth Lane-Astley Bridge-Moss Bank Way-Halliwell Road-BGH

555 Withins-Thicketford Brow-Tonge Moor Road-Bolton-BGH-Little Hulton-Walkden-Mosley Common 575 Wigan-Aspull-Scot Lane End-Blackrod-Horwich-Lostock-Chorley New Road-Bolton-BGH

582 Leigh-Atherton-Daubhill-St Helens Road-Bolton-BGH

B8 Andrew Lane-Bank Top-Astley Bridge-Blackburn Road-Bolton-BGH

(plus some Bromley Cross and Egerton evening journeys)

F1 Farnworth-Highfield-Flower Estate-BGH

All these services will operate through the Hospital Grounds.

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