AN UNDER threat transport scheme which takes thousands of patients to appointments has been saved from the axe.

The future of the North Bolton Link service — which provides a direct taxi service at bus fare prices to Crompton Health Centre — has been uncertain since last August.

It was due to end this month after NHS Bolton pulled the plug on its half of the funding.

Now Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority (GMITA) has decided to continue investing in the door-to-door scheme — albeit on a reduced basis.

Cllr David Sandiford, chairman of GMITA’s Bus Network and Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (GMPTE) Services Committee, said he was pleased the service would be retained under the new arrangement.

He said: “I am delighted we have been able to retain this service, providing the local community with a direct link to Crompton Health Centre three days a week.

“We have a small budget to provide bus services in areas where there is a genuine need for them and they are not provided on a commercial basis.”

The scheme was established in 2009 when GMITA and NHS Bolton joined forces to fund it.

More than 2,500 people a year use it.

Cllr Sandiford added: “We have been able to negotiate the provision of a Local Link service within the budget available and, although it is reduced, it means the majority of Local Link passengers will still be provided with a service.”

Susan Long, Assistant Chief Executive of NHS Bolton, which spent £17,000 helping to fund the service, said: “We are pleased that our fixed term subsidy to set up the bus service has led to GMPTE deciding the service is worth continuing to the benefit of patients in Bolton.”