THE Metroshuttle free bus service for shoppers in Bolton town centre is set to be axed.

A decision is expected on Monday after Bolton Council officers recommended scrapping the service.

The Metroshuttle service was set up in 2008 to serve town centre car parks and retail areas.

Vision Bus has operated the service under a contract with Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) since January 2018.

The service costs £120,000 a year to operate.

Under an agreement with TfGM Bolton Council contributes 75 per cent of the service costs which amounts to around £103,000.

The service currently runs from Monday-Saturday from 9am-5pm on on a 15-minute frequency serving a circulatory route of the town centre.

A report to the deputy leader of the council, Cllr Martyn Cox, who will make the decision, said: "Prior to Covid-19 discussions had begun with TfGM around a commercial strategy to continue funding the service and alternative methods of funding were being considered due to pressure on council and TfGM budgets including looking at commercial advertising opportunities.

"This included looking at whether town centre retailers would be prepared to contribute to the service’s operation.

"Given the economic impact of Covid on retailers they are unlikely to be able to make a contribution."

Bolton is the only GM area to fund a free town centre bus service apart from Manchester.

Recommending the service be cut from April, 10, 2021, the report added: "Discontinuing the service will provide a cost saving to the council of £103,515 per year. Since 2010 it has been funded through reserves which have depleted significantly."

Opposition deputy leader, Cllr Akhtar Zaman said the pandemic 'has unfortunately been the final nail in the coffin' for the service.