A NEW bus service that will make town centre shopping easier in St Helens is now up and running.

The Hopper Bus will provide a regular link around the town centre and serve several of the main car parks and St Mary's market.

It is a joint venture between Merseytravel and St Helens Council and has been launched initially for six months trial. There will be no charge for travelling on the bus.

It will be available from 9.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Saturday using a fully accessible 28-seater bus which will provide a service at 20-minute intervals.

It will carry signs identifying it and will use normal bus stops where available or act as a hail-and-ride service.

The circular route will take in St Helens market, Central railway station, the bus station, Victoria Square, Ormskirk Street/Bridge Street, Westfield Street, Corporation Street, Hall Street and Chalon Way car park.

Chairman of St Helens Council's Highways sub-committee, Councillor Terry Hanley, said: "The service will be available to everybody and will make it easier to struggle back to the car or the main bus or rail stations with all that Christmas shopping. We hope the service will be valued particularly by people who have mobility problems who will find it much easier to move from one part of the town centre shopping area to another.

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