Community bus service launched in Tetbury (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Community bus service launched in Tetbury

9:00am Monday 11th June 2012 in News By Ian Craig

BUS-USERS around Tetbury concerned about loosing their transport links in the county council’s cuts are breathing a sigh of relief with the launch of a new community bus service.

The Tetbury Dolphin bus service has been set up by Cotswold Council for Voluntary Service Trading (CCVS), along with Gloucestershire County Council, to ensure people in the towns and villages around Tetbury have the transport links they need.

The service incorporates the old number 27 service between Tetbury, Didmarton and Old Sodbury, as well as the 278 service between Tetbury and Malmesbury.

CCVS transport manager Bryan Griffiths, who played a key role in setting up the service, said it had been planned in reaction to a number of Gloucestershire County Council’s cuts to rural bus services.

"A lot of people in Tetbury and the surrounding villages find it difficult to get to the doctors surgeries, the hospital or to Tesco to go shopping," he said.

"Some people find it complicated but it really isn’t – all you have to do is look at the timetable, and if it’s in your area give us a call and we will arrange for the bus to come and pick you up, "There are pick up points but, for people with impaired mobility, we will get you right from your home."

"I’ve got total faith that it’ll do well"

CCVS transport manager Bryan Griffiths

He added the service had taken two and a half years to develop and he was pleased the work was nearing fruition.

"The response from the public so far has been very good – I’ve got total faith that it’ll do well," he added.

The service runs within four zones around Tetbury and the surrounding area, travelling to villages and towns such as Malmesbury, Nailsworth, Kemble and Old Sodbury, with a number of designated pick-up areas.

GCC member for Tetbury Cllr Tony Hicks praised the CCVS for their work in setting up the service.

"The CCVS came up trumps," he said.

"This is a great example of community co-operation and engagement."

For more information on the Tetbury Dolphin service, visit ccvstrading.co.uk