Shuttle Bus

The Trust offers a free transport service between the Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital (RBTH), Burnley General Teaching Hospital (BGTH) and Pendle Community Hospital (PCH) for staff, patients and visitors. If you are looking for timetables, please click here.

We are sorry to announce this service will cease to operate from 31 March 2025 as the Trust can no longer afford it. It costs the Trust £780,000 a year and is free to anyone to use at any point.

Thanks to everyone who has given feedback directly and across social media following the announcement that our hospital shuttle bus will cease operation.

We completely understand the concerns and the upset and emotions people are feeling about the news and would reiterate that we have considered many other options over many, many months and done everything we can to avoid making this decision.

It's not something we have taken lightly and have always acknowledged how important the service is to those who use it.

It's important to recognise, however, that now the decision has been made it cannot be changed. This is for two reasons. The first is that we simply do not have the funds to pay for it. The Trust is facing significant financial challenges and can only commit to paying for things where the money is clearly identified. The second is that the nature of the contract means we have to give fair notice to the operator, who employ drivers and lease vehicles to provide the service. This also allows passengers time to consider alternative travel plans.

So, whilst we appreciate and recognise the strength of feeling and support indicated in feedback and the petition created, it's not possible to reinstate the shuttle bus and it's important to be honest about that.

We remain committed to supporting passengers to make alternative arrangements and that includes colleagues, patients and visitors. There is lots of information on this web page as well as a dedicated email address.

In addition, any ideas and especially approaches from any local operators or partners who wish to explore providing a service would be most welcome.

The shuttle bus was started as an interim initiative for five years in 2007. 

Martin Hodgson, Chief Executive at East Lancashire Hospitals, said: “This decision has not been reached lightly or without significant consideration about the impact on patients, visitors and colleagues, but the Trust’s financial position is extremely challenging and our spending decisions remain under additional scrutiny nationally from NHS England.

“Continuing the shuttle bus would cost ELHT £780,000 in 2025-26, with a minimum contractual commitment of a further three years, which we simply do not have.

"I know passengers value the shuttle bus services and I am sorry that this decision will impact them but we will do everything we can to help them to manage this change. This includes reimbursing patients who meet eligibility criteria for free bus fares and I would encourage anyone who finds themselves unable to attend an appointment to get in touch to see how we can help.”

In fully considering the impact of ceasing the shuttle bus service, the Trust undertook an informal survey. A total of 248 people responded, with 241 confirming they had used the shuttle bus in the past year. This included 172 colleagues, 35 patients, 30 visitors or friends and a number of ‘others’ who appear to be using the bus without any connection to the Trust or its services.

Notice has been given to the operator, allowing almost three months for passengers to identify alternative arrangements to travel around 10 miles between sites. The Trust has already set up a group, including human resources and staff side representatives, to provide information, advice and guidance to those who need it. Their first priorities will be to:

·       Identify as many ways as possible to reduce the need to move between sites such as ensuring ID checks, Occupational Health services and induction is available in both Burnley and Blackburn

·       Reach out to existing transport operators to discuss and promote the existing routes available

·       Ensure patients and visitors are supported to find alternative ways to travel and know where funding for journeys can be accessed for those who meet eligibility criteria for bus fares.

To support passengers, there are links on this page to other bus services, community transport options and information about how some patients may be able to claim back their health care travel costs.

If you have any questions please email shuttlebus@elht.nhs.uk

If you have a question, please email shuttlebus@elht.nhs.uk