A NEW state-of-the-art bus to link Worcester city centre with the Worcestershire Royal Hospital has been launched.

The EasyLINK cross city service allows passengers greater access to different facilities in the city, including the new hospital at Newton Road.

One of the new buses was unveiled by Carole Roberson, a Worcester district nurse, in a ceremony attended by city officials, county councillors and members of the local medical community.

After the launch at the Green Centre in Gresham Road, Dines Green, invited guests travelled the new route.

"The EasyLINK service will be an outstanding transport facility for people travelling across Worcester," said Chris Pettifer, passenger transport manager for Worcestershire County Council.

"It will provide a quick and efficient means of travel and is also user-friendly, with buses having easy access for baby buggies, wheelchairs and shopping trolleys."

Cross city service journeys, on bus number 43, run Monday to Saturday from 7am to 6pm, every 20 minutes.

The route goes from the Green Centre, through St John's to the CrownGate bus station. It then goes on to Tolladine, Warndon Villages and Worcestershire Royal Hospital, continuing on to Ronkswood and Shrub Hill before returning to CrownGate.

This is supplemented by a shorter route 43E service from Dines Green, via CrownGate and Tolladine to Warndon. This means there will be a bus every 10 minutes between Dines Green, the city centre and Warndon.

The return service, number 41, runs from CrownGate every 20 minutes, via the Worcestershire Royal Hospital, Warndon Villages, Tolladine, the city centre and Dines Green.

This is supplemented by extra journeys between Warndon, the city centre and Dines Green to give a 10 minute frequency between these points.