TRANSPORT chiefs have hailed the success of the borough's Ring & Ride Service in providing a door-to-door service for the elderly and infirm.

The tribute has come from members of Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority (GMPTA) who praised the charitable company which operates Ring & Ride in Bury and elsewhere in the county.

Greater Manchester Accessible Transport Ltd (GMATL) is funded by the authority. Latest figures for Bury show the service completed more than 112,000 passenger journeys in 2002/03.

Councillor Gordon Sharkey, who represents Bury on the GMPTA, said: "The hard work GMATL put into making this service a success is not to be underestimated: the company easily exceeded the passenger journey target we set for them last year.

"I would like to thank the staff and particularly the 28 people who work at the Bury depot for the hard work they have put in. I wish them even more success with their important work in the future."

Councillor Roger Jones, GMPTA chairman said: "Ring and Ride continues to go from strength to strength with 1.32 million passengers journeys carried in 2002/03, a big increase on the previous year. Nearly 90 per cent of these passengers were over 60 years of age and more than 66,000 journeys were made by wheelchair users.

"So it is obvious what a vital role Ring and Ride plays in helping people who are unable to use conventional public transport get around".

GMATL operates the Ring and Ride service from 7.45am to 10.45pm, seven days a week (excluding Bank Holidays).

Passengers must register with the service indicating why they are unable to use ordinary public transport. Then they will simply have to telephone the day before they wish to travel and book their journey. The service can be contacted on 0161 797 1477.