MARGARET Simm asks what GMPTE is doing to improve the public transport infrastructure in Bolton ('Let's work together better for buses', Bolton Evening News, January 12).

I can assure her that millions of pounds are being invested every year on improving both transport infrastructure and services.

Whilst expanding the Metrolink system is a major priority for GMPTE, we recognise that two boroughs - Bolton and Wigan - will not directly benefit from this. That is why the Passenger Transport Authority and the Department for Transport have established a Transport Infrastructure Fund (TIF) dedicated to the two areas. The annual TIF allocation in Bolton is £3.5 million per year.

A substantial proportion of this funding is being spent on introducing Quality Bus Corridors across the borough which will improve bus journey times and punctuality by introducing measures to give buses priority - traffic signal prioritisation, separate lanes and enhanced bus stop facilities.

In addition, major improvements are being made, or will shortly be made, at a number of railway stations, including Bolton Interchange, Hall Ith Wood, Daisy Hill, Kearsley, Blackrod and Horwich.

Public transport infrastructure - bus stops, street lighting on bus routes and station footpaths - is being improved across the borough.

Major improvements are currently underway at Bolton Interchange. The £1.4 million scheme to improve the bus station and taxi rank has been subject to some delays but should be completed next month.

Bolton has the only rail station in Greater Manchester owned and developed by GMPTE - Horwich Parkway. Following the success of the station, GMPTE developed much improved car park facilities, and work is now underway on a new ticket office and waiting room which is also due to be completed next month, at a cost of £615,000.

Last year £2.8 million was spent on subsidising such bus services in Bolton.

We spend £82,000 a year funding a number of door-to-door demand responsive public transport services in Bolton. A new East Bolton Local Link service was launched on January 29 after a successful bid for £414,000 government funding for the next three years.

GMPTE is working with the operators to improve the reliability and punctuality of services. I hope readers will appreciate that we are also doing our best, with the limited funds available to us, to improve the public transport infrastructure in Bolton and across Greater Manchester.

Keith Howcroft

Strategy Director

GMPTE