Vital shopping service axed

CARING . . . the driver of the Shopping Link service helps people off the bus to get their shopping

A VITAL transport link connecting housebound pensioners with local supermarkets is set to be cancelled.

Transport for Greater Manchester’s Shopping Link operates in Chadderton, Shaw, Failsworth and Oldham town centre. The weekly door-to-door service collects users, takes them to supermarkets to buy food, then takes them home.

TfGM chiefs confirmed they would be stopping the service after finding out passengers were eligible for the similar Ring and Ride minibus, which covers the same routes.

Margaret Coates (85), of Chadderton, has been using Shopping Link every week for six years.

She said: “It’s my only way to get out and get my shopping. It’s a wonderful service.”

“For some of us it’s the only time we get out. There is a Ring and Ride service, but I’m not keen on it.

“Accessibility isn’t very good. It’s too difficult for me to get on and off.”

The service visits different shops throughout the week including Asda, Tesco and Morrisions and operates morning and afternoon runs.

Audrey Pollock (82), of Chadderton, is also a regular user: “It’s wonderful. The majority of people wouldn’t mind paying a bit more if we could just maintain it. It’s more than just a bus service to us — it brings people together.”

TfGM confirmed that the service will end at the end of next month. A spokesman said: “Oldham Shopping Link will stop on October 25.

“As Ring and Ride serves all the same destinations and drivers are trained to help passengers with mobility issues, there is clearly no need for the public purse to fund a duplicate service.”