TRANSPORT bosses are encouraging people in Bury to use public transport over the festive season.

Details of services are now available in GMPTE's annual Christmas and New Year timetable booklet and on www.gmpte.com

Commercial public transport operators will be running bus, train and tram services on most days over the festive period.

Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority is supplementing these by funding a network of Manchester city centre Nightbus services on New Year's Eve, as well as teaming up once again with the Community Minibus Agency to provide a free of charge door to door transport service, for people who are completely dependent on public transport, to visit their close relatives in hospices and hospital on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day.

Transport mascot Mad Ferret teamed up with Councillor Gordon Sharkey, Bury spokesperson for the Authority, at the Travelshop stop at Bury Interchange to announce the publication of the Christmas services timetable booklet.

Councillor Sharkey said: "We know that people expect fewer public transport services to operate over Christmas and New Year. Nonetheless, people do still need to get to around and we therefore want to make sure that a decent level of service operates and that information is readily available.

"The timetable booklet we have produced provides details about all bus, train and tram services operating between December 24 and January 3. It's a very comprehensive guide and is the result of a lot of work by GMPTE's service planners and information team in conjunction with bus, train and tram operators across Greater Manchester.

"Looking through the guide, it's clear that the majority of local transport operators have agreed to provide adequate services for people to get around on the working days surrounding Christmas and New Year.

"It is also particularly pleasing to see that on New Year's Eve the network of Manchester city centre night buses will be running until well into New Year's morning, providing plenty of opportunity for many people to get home safely.

"I would like to say a big thank you to the all the bus, train and tram operators who will be helping people get where they need to be over the festive period - in particular, those who have made the extra effort to run services on Boxing Day.

"I'd urge anyone travelling around Bury over the festive period to check out the booklet to see if public transport could be an option for their journey."

Mad Ferret added: "I love Christmas, me - and I've been known to get out and about a bit, partying and that. So I'm well chuffed that it looks like I'm going to be able to get home on the bus. All I've got to do now is make sure I get on the right one!"

The Christmas and New Year timetable information booklet is available from GMPTE Travelshops as well as local stations, libraries, health centres and post offices. Copies can also be requested by calling 0161-242 6040 (lines open 24 hours)

Information on all local public transport services is also available by calling Greater Manchester's Public Transport Information Line on 0161-228 7811, between 7am and 8pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 8pm on weekends. Minicom is available on this number if required.

Timetable information and a web-based Journey Planner can be accessed via the GMPTE website at www.gmpte.com