9:52am Friday 19th October 2007
By Jane Lavender
DOZENS of people vented their frustration at the state of Bolton's public transport at a meeting.
Representatives from major bus companies such as Arriva, First, and Ring and Ride, which provides transport for people unable to use conventional buses and trains, all attended yesterday's transport operators' surgery to listen to people's concerns.
A lack of regular services and the number of late-running buses were among the most common complaints at the meeting, organised by Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority.
Pensioners Phyllis and John Cocker, and their friend Mary Hargreaves from Bromley Cross, said the infrequency of the Arriva bus service they use was a serious problem.
Mrs Cocker, aged 73, said the 563 between Edgworth and Bolton runs only once an hour.
She said: "It's often very late, so people are forced to use a taxi if they have an appointment, for example at the doctors. It's just not good enough."
Mrs Hargreaves, aged 84, uses the 541 route into Bolton town centre, to connect when she goes on coach trips, but says she has to allow time for it being late.
She said: "I have to set off before 8am if I want to catch a 9.30am coach, which is ridiculous. I want something done about the time keeping."
Ann Rammond, aged 62, from Stoneclough, claimed the only bus she could use - run by the Vale of Manchester firm, which was not at the meeting - stops at 6pm and does not run on Sundays.
She said: "I'm trapped. There's loads going on in the town centre and I want to be able to get out and about, but am unable to.
"I want to see more buses and for them to be still running later in the day and throughout the whole weekend."
Jay Knight, aged 33, who has a visual impairment, uses the Ring and Ride service to travel to and from college in Westhoughton and was frustrated as the hotline to book transport was frequently engaged.
But he was told Ring and Ride had promised to start up an email contact system to help with the problem.
Arriva spokesman Nick Gordon said: "Arriva's 563 services are operated under contract to GMPTE, who are responsible for setting the route and timetable.
"Many of our services in the Bolton area have been subject to delay due to the significant amount of roadworks in and around the town centre.
"We would like to apologise to any passengers who have been affected and, while we are doing all we can, it is something that is ultimately out of our control."
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