HOLSWORTHY Rural Community Transport is hoping to introduce a shuttle bus service around the town on a regular timetable.

This will be possible following the delivery of two new buses last Monday, each costing £48,000 and awarded following a funding application by the charity to the Department of Transport.

One bus will replace the ring and ride bus, which was purchased in 2010 with Big Lottery Funding. The case for a second bus was made to provide a town shuttle, providing a regular service, bringing people into town. Both buses are fitted with wheelchair access ramps and low loading front steps.

Martin Prentice, chairman of the trustees, gave the news about the shuttle bus service at a tea party at Rydon Inn last Thursday afternoon, September 1, hosted by the charity for its volunteer drivers who transport people in and around Holsworthy and as far as afield hospitals in Plymouth, Exeter and Barnstaple.

Mr Prentice told the Post: “The town shuttle will obviously be a new service and will be a trial to establish if it is viable and so we are anxious to hear from residents what sort of service they feel is needed, pickup/drop-off points, frequency of service etc so that a route and timetable can be established.

“It is proposed to charge a flat rate of £1/single journey.

“This bus needs to be used otherwise we will lose it.”

People can make their views known by calling the office on 01409 259001, emailing on [email protected], or dropping into the office in the square.

At the tea party, Mr Prentice expressed thanks to the office staff, coordinator Cathy Withall and assistant coordinator Esther Rowe, for the vital service they provide.

He said the volunteer car service, which offers a taxi-style service using volunteer car drivers for people requiring transport to important appointments, such as at doctors’ surgeries and hospitals, continued to grow with 90 to 100 trips per month in the three months since April. Those interested in volunteering as a driver can contact the office.

The association has applied to several other funding sources and secured small amounts.

They wait to hear in October whether or not they have been successful in getting the £323,000 they needed to keep going over the next five years from the Big Lottery.

Also in October they would hear whether their application for a share of Torridge District Council’s ‘New Homes Bonus Community Grants’ scheme was successful.

The minibuses are available to hire, self-drive or with a driver, on evenings and weekends by local youth groups, sports teams, charities and community groups.

As for the Ring and Ride service, they were talking to Cornwall Council with a view to expanding the service across the border. Their bus hiring service was also growing with the vehicle having been hired out 30 times since April.