Shuttle buses decked out in new livery are ready to hit the road in Manchester, ferrying people from south-central neighbourhoods to the Belle Vue vaccination centre.
Earlier this month a new vaccination centre was set up at the Belle Vue Sports Village. This was part of a city-wide push to get as many people vaccinated as possible during July.
As the city enters a crucial stage of the vaccine roll out provision has been expanded, with the support of the army, to make it as simple a process as possible to get vaccinated.
However, it is understood that for some people travel to and from vaccination centres may not be easy, which is why additional provision has been made for them
To support people’s travel to the site, Stagecoach buses have been put into service acting as free shuttle buses from neighbouring areas.
Designed to reach as many people as possible with a 30-minute wait time the routes of the buses will go through Gorton, Levenshulme, Longsight, and Ardwick via West Gorton.
Buses will also travel down key roads in these areas including Stockport Road and Hyde Road.
Once at the vaccination site, buses will begin their return journey at the top of the hour, and at half past the hour.
To make the buses more visible, and to let residents know that they will be able to travel to Belle Vue and back for free, the buses have had new livery installed on their back and sides.
Bus stops along the route will have their plate updated to say “vaccination shuttle” alerting residents that they can hop on and hop off at that stop.
Councillor Joanna Midgley, Executive Member for Health and Care, said: “Breaking down barriers that prevent people from getting their vaccine is a crucial part of the work we are doing to get vaccination levels up.
“No one should struggle to make the right choice for their wellbeing which is why we have put this free shuttle bus scheme in place.
“I’d urge anyone who’s yet to get their first or second vaccine to take advantage of this and visit Belle Vue for their jab. Anyone can walk up for a jab between 9am and 8pm, there is no requirement for you to have a GP and there are no immigration checks.
“This is now the time to be proactive, play your part, and help Manchester get back to normal.
To learn more about Covid vaccinations in Manchester follow this link here.