A new shuttle bus service will connect Blackburn and Burnley hospitals, ensuring access for patients and staff.
Blackburn: A new shuttle bus service is coming to connect Blackburn and Burnley hospitals. Oswaldtwistle’s Moving People Bus and Coach Services will run this service. It will help patients, visitors, and staff travel between the two hospitals.
The service will charge a fee, but it should not exceed £3 per journey. Pensioners can use their free bus pass on weekdays from 9:30 AM to 11 PM. This is great news for those who rely on public transport.
The new route will start on April 1, right after the current free shuttle bus ends. Moving People has already submitted the necessary paperwork to register the route. This change comes after East Lancashire Hospitals decided to cut the free service, which had been running since 2007.
Many people protested this decision, showing how much they valued the shuttle bus. The new service will still connect the two hospitals directly but will also stop in Blackburn and Burnley town centers.
The bus will start running around 6 AM and will have regular trips until 8:30 PM. Initially, it will operate Monday through Friday, with plans to review weekend service later.
Blackburn with Darwen Council and Lancashire County Council support this new route. Glen Chamberlain, the managing director of Moving People, expressed excitement about taking over the service. He emphasized the importance of making it commercially viable for the community.
Burnley MP Oliver Ryan praised the public’s response to the shuttle bus cancellation. He noted that people were willing to fight for this service, which is essential for accessing healthcare and visiting loved ones.
Cllr Phil Riley, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, acknowledged the hard work behind the scenes to make this happen. He wished Moving People success with the new service.
Local leaders are pleased that the service will continue, ensuring patients and staff can access the hospitals easily. They hope this will encourage more people to use public transport for their healthcare needs.
