£50,000 boost for bus schemes

More than £50,000 will be ploughed into Greater Manchester to help fund dial-a-ride and community bus schemes across rural parts of the county.

Transport Minister Norman Baker wants to prop up projects that operate in parts of the county that are not served by commercial operators, claiming smaller services can help prevent residents becoming isolated.

Local schemes can range from school and youth clubs runs to community buses for social groups and all are run on a not-for-profit basis.

Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority will receive £56,248 from the £10 million national fund.