RESIDENTS in Partington and Carrington will find it easier to get to work with the extension of a bus service that picks people up right from their doorstep.

From June 9, Partington Local Link will start two hours earlier, at 5am instead of 7am, following the addition of a new bus to the route.

A new Sunday and bank holiday service will also be introduced, running 5am to 10pm.

Local Link operates throughout Partington, Carrington and Warburton with vehicles picking passengers up and dropping them off at a number of key centres of employment and business in Trafford and Greater Manchester.

Locations and sites served by Partington Local Link include: Carrington Business Park, Trafford Park, the Trafford Centre and Salford Royal Hospital.

Money from the national Local Sustainable Transport Fund and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has made the service possible.

It is designed to fill gaps in existing public transport, particularly for shift workers whose working patterns might not be served by other services.

The aim is to increase residents’ access to work opportunities, improving their quality of life and boosting the economy. Full details of the Partington Local Link service can be found at http://bit.ly/16veuhe.

You can book a journey online at www.tfgm.com/buses/local_link or by calling our scheduling centre on 08456 05 55 05 (8am – 4pm for bookings, 8am – 9pm for enquiries).

Councillor Andrew Fender, Chair of the Partington Local Link bus service extended Committee, said: “The extra bus and longer service hours for Partington Local Link will mean more availability and extra capacity.

“This will be especially of use for shift workers going from their homes to work and vice-versa and an improvement to an already successful bus service.

“We support dozens of Local Link routes throughout Greater Manchester as part of our commitment to sustainable flexible travel and connecting local people to local jobs and amenities.”

TfGM has worked closely with Trafford Council to develop the improved service, including the council’s executive member for highways and environment, Cllr Alan Mitchell.

Cllr Mitchell said: “We very much welcome this excellent news. Local bus services play a vital role for residents and the extra funding for additional services will make a big difference, particularly for people working in the area.”