Melksham Community Transport needs your help!

MELKSHAM Community Transport is looking for people to help them with the running of the town’s local Community Bus Service. 

“You may have seen our distinctive yellow and green buses running around town,” says John Ruderman on behalf of Melksham Community Transport – a non-profit charitable organisation that aims to serve local needs. “We provide a valuable service to many local residents who otherwise would struggle to get out of their houses.” 

The charity runs a shopper bus service to local supermarkets, a school bus for students of Corsham School living in Melksham and the surrounding villages; they offer a transport service for many elderly and vulnerable people to allow them to attend social clubs in and around Melksham; and can offer transport to local care homes, organisations and clubs. 

But they need more people to join their management committee. 

“There is a small management committee,” explains John. “We meet about 10 to 12 times a year, usually at our office in the Tourist Information Centre. As a registered charity there is a need for trustees who have the legal responsibility for the organisation. We also have part-time staff, a manager who maintains the smooth running of the service and ensures that the buses are kept in good condition, an administrator who pays the bills, keeps the accounts etc, and four part-time drivers.  

“We need new people to become involved in the management committee. Most of our present members have been involved for a long time and we need younger people to join us to help carry the organisation on into the future. 

“We would like involvement from local businesses either in the form of practical support or perhaps through sponsorship financially. You could even promote your company by having your name on our buses! 

“The service is expensive to run and although we get some funding from local government and raise some money from charging for services we provide, it is becoming increasingly difficult to keep the books balanced. Just the increased costs for fuel has put a strain on finances recently.  

“If you, or your company think you could help and you want to find out more please contact the Tourist Information Office on 01225 707424 and leave your details. One of us will be in touch.” 

Explaining in more detail what Melksham Community Transport offers local people, John said, “Shopper Buses – Every Thursday we pick people up at their homes and take them to either Chippenham, Devizes or Trowbridge. There they can spend a couple of hours visiting local shops, then re-join the bus for their journey home. Our drivers can help to carry shopping to the door if needed, on arrival. 

“Every Friday the same bus takes people to Sainsburys in Melksham for grocery shopping. If passengers wish to visit a different supermarket this can be arranged with the driver. 

“These services are co-ordinated by the Tourist Information Centre who take our bookings. And this service is free to those people eligible for a bus pass.

“School Buses – We run three buses each day to collect and return students attending Corsham School from Melksham and surrounding villages. The buses allow a secure and safe journey for the young people who have no other way of getting to school unless parents take them by car. We like to think we are reducing, to some extent, the number of cars on the road!  

“Transport for Social Clubs – We provide transport for many elderly and vulnerable people to allow them to attend social clubs in and around Melksham. These clubs are a vital service, and in some cases may be the only time people get out of their homes and meet others in a social setting. These clubs also organise trips out for their members – for example, to a local pub for lunch, to the garden centre, out for afternoon tea. Our passengers get to know their drivers and look forward to going on the bus. 

“Days out – In partnership with Melksham Tourist Information Centre we run a popular travel club offering days out throughout the year, usually once or twice a month. This year we have been to destinations such as Weymouth, Bournemouth, Lymington, Clarks Village, Gloucester Quays and Weston-super-Mare. The travel club is open to all by registering at the Tourist information Centre. There is no joining fee or subscription. 

“Transport for local Care Homes – We are often asked to provide transport for care homes wishing to take residents out for a day trip. We provide a bus and driver at their convenience. Our buses are well suited to this service due to the easy accessibility for passengers with poor mobility and wheelchair users. 

“Local Groups and Clubs – We can provide transport for local organisations such as church groups, scouts, schools etc. to attend functions and events. 

“All of our buses are user-friendly for people with mobility issues. We can accommodate those using wheelchairs as the buses either have a low floor with access by a ramp from the kerbside or electric lifts at the rear of the vehicle. We have 5 buses, 2 with 28 seats and 3 with 15 seats 

“If you want to talk about hiring one of our buses and drivers please call 01225 707424 and leave your details.”