Wanderers are consulting on the possibility of dropping matchday bus services to the University of Bolton Stadium.

The Bolton News has been told that user numbers for the four services on matchday has dropped to the “low hundreds” in recent months.

Chief executive Neil Hart says operating the buses is costing the club “tens of thousands of pounds” and is now examining potential alternatives alongside the BWFC Supporters’ Trust, which would come into operation next season.

Buses currently run on eight routes for league games – Service One from Bromley Cross, Egerton, Sharples and Smithills, Service Two from Breighmet, Tonge Moor and Halliwell, Service Three from Radcliffe, Little Lever and Bolton Interchange, and Service Four from Pendlebury, Kearsley, Walkden and Little Hulton.

Service Five runs from Farnworth, Great Lever and Daubhill, Service Six Boothstown, Tyldesley and Atherton, Service Seven Leigh and Westhoughton and Service Eight Blackhorse St, town centre and Doffcocker.

The cost of a single or return journey is £7.

Whilst passenger numbers have fallen, the service remains an important one for supporters who are unable to drive to the stadium, particularly in the light of the recent inconsistency of the train network.

For others, the cost of parking at the stadium is now another factor after a new system was brought in at the start of the season.

It is understood that the Trust is working hard to find viable options over the coming months and the club has invited communication from those who use the bus services for their input.

Hart said at the recent Trust AGM: "It is something we are reviewing. I am not convinced they have got much longevity.

"I am not going to make that decision. I would rather do that in consultation with people that use the buses and the Supporters' Trust. We've started to have some dialogue.

"I know they are being used less and less because I've seen the data fairly recently.

"I think we want to have some period of consultation over the coming weeks and months, and then we'll make a final decision.

"They are legacy from the move from Burnden Park to here, that is my understanding, and they are costing the club tens of thousands of pounds.

"I have been really pragmatic about that, and I am not sure it is the best use of funds at the moment, but let's review it and have the conversation to make the right decision for those supporters."