A HOSPITAL bus run has run out of patient patrons.

First Manchester bus company is axing its 599 service to Leigh Infirmary on May 24.

But at an emergency meeting transport chiefs at Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority pledged funds to find an operator to run a hospital service.

First Manchester marketing manager Paul Clear told The Journal:"Unfortunately patronage on service 599 was such that we were unable to continue running the service commercially.

"We are discussing with GMPTE alternative ways of servicing the hospital. Hopefully, between GMPTE and the bus operators, service to the hospital can be continued."

Now GMPTA want an operator providing experimental services linking Leigh, Atherton, Tyldesley and Astley with Leigh Infirmary.

Authority chairman Cllr Joe Clarke said: "Public transport services to hospitals are essential and I am delighted the Authority has been able to find funds to help pay for this service on a six month trial basis.

"It seems more and more health facilities are being concentrated on single sites which often involves people having to travel further from their homes.

"Many of these people do not have cars and rely on public transport to get them to appointments or to allow them to visit their families and friends.

"We hope the whole issue of public transport to and from hospitals is something that will be addressed in the forthcoming government White Paper.

"In the meantime the Authority believes they are so important we are going to investigate the issues surrounding service provision ourselves."

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