A ROW has broken out over plans to replace a bus service to the Royal Bolton Hospital with a taxi.

Greater Manchester's Passenger Transport Executive is set to offer a shared taxi service for hospital visitors.

They say the cost for passengers will be the same as bus fares and offer them a more convenient service.

The service will run from Hulton Lane to the Royal Bolton Hospital.

The taxis will have to be pre-booked and pick up passengers from bus services along the route.

GMPTE bosses have written to Bolton Council chiefs telling them about the plan.

But some Bolton councillors are unhappy about the plan and fear it will lead to people having to pay out more.

Details of the scheme were presented to councillors at an environment and consumer sub committee meeting.

Labour Cllr Mrs Pauline Spencer said: "I would like to know more about this. I do fear that people could end up paying more."

But Tory Cllr John Walsh said: "This has worked in other areas of the Greater Manchester conurbation and I don't see why it can't work here."

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