INVESTIGATIONS into whether Melksham could support a future carbon zero town bus service are to be pursued. In the meantime, an electric bus will be coming to Melksham as part of next month’s ClimateFest on 17th September and locals will be able to travel on the bus and find out more information.
Cllr Graham Ellis, who brought the proposal to councillors at a meeting last month, explained that there were vacancies in the current town bus service due to the reduction in buses. He asked the town council for endorsement of investigation work, through Bus 24/7, to support a carbon zero bus service for Melksham. Councillors unanimously supported the idea.
Cllr Ellis suggests that carbon zero vehicles could be used to support updating of the town bus service, joining up areas which have little or minimal service at the moment.
Next month, for the town’s ClimateFest event, a yellow electric bus from “The Big Lemon” will arrive in Melksham the night before, ready to be charged. Next day, on Saturday 17th September, the bus will operate a free shuttle service every 30 minutes from Melksham Railway Station and Melksham Market Place.
Cllr Ellis says that the shuttle service will be timed to make connections with trains arriving and departing Melksham, allowing visitors from other locations to visit ClimateFest. He hopes that local people will see the yellow bus in the Market Place and take the opportunity to take a ride to the railway station and back, as an example of what a town service could provide.
The Melksham Transport User Group and Option 24/7 are sponsoring the bus, which will be provided at cost by The Big Lemon, which are working with transport groups in the area. The groups will also provide information about electric buses and their ongoing work at ClimateFest.
Cllr Ellis says that September is also national “Catch the Bus” month, so he hopes more people will get involved in wanting to improve local buses and the future of a carbon zero town bus service.
Pictured: cllr Graham Ellis with the Big Lemon Bus
