PEOPLE are being left stranded because of cut-backs to a hospital shuttle bus service, it has been claimed.

Just days after a new timetable was introduced by East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, the service, between Burnley General and the Royal Blackburn sites, is already beset by problems.

The buses previously operated every 20 minutes but changes now mean they can be as long as 90 minutes apart.

Difficulties arose yesterday when the 21-seat shuttle bus, set to depart at 1.15pm, saw all the seats filled.

As the bus travels on a motorway, it is not allowed to accept standing passengers.

It is understood at least one person was left at the hospital terminus, another on Casterton Avenue and around 10 near The Prairie pub in Colne Road.

The 1.15pm service is particularly popular with Burnley passengers as it allows them to reach Blackburn when visiting hours begin at 2pm.

One relative of a hospital patient, who asked not to be named, said: “The frequency of the buses has only just changed this week.

“It was only a little bus and you would think that they would have taken that into consideration and put on a larger one.”

“Everyone was looking to get to Blackburn for the start of visiting time.

"And the next bus was only due at around 2.30pm.”

Sue Chapman, the hospital trust’s facilities head, confirmed calls had been received about the shuttle bus availability.

She added: “These concerns will be investigated fully to ascertain the reasons for this particular issue and we will be working closely with our shuttle bus partner, Tyrer Buses, to establish any corrective action required.

“This is a revised timetable and a period of monitoring is required to ensure that the free shuttle service is as efficient as possible.

“The trust is committed to providing value for money services to our patients, staff and users.

“The revision of the shuttle bus timetable has allowed funding to be redirected within the trust.”