MELKSHAM Community Bus will be running fewer days out this year for local people.
Organisers say, “We have had many enquiries about days out for this year. These generally start after Easter when the weather is a bit warmer – after all, no-one wants to go to the seaside in the rain and wind. This year there will be fewer trips running.
“The reason for this, we are afraid, is down to the economic viability of running the trips. To cover our costs we must sell 25 seats, but this has very rarely happened in the past couple of years and has resulted in trips being cancelled and passengers being disappointed. We have reluctantly made the decision to restrict the number of trips available to just a few, which we are reasonably sure will be popular enough to be viable.
“At the moment, the shopper bus trips are not in danger of being cancelled; these are the trips that go every Thursday to Chippenham, Devizes and Trowbridge. The local shopping service within Melksham on Fridays is not used by many people and may be vulnerable if numbers do not increase. These shopper buses offer an excellent service, picking up from your home and dropping you home after. The driver will even carry your shopping in for you!
“Please call Melksham TIC to book a place on either of the shopper services – 01225 707424
“These are paid for by Wiltshire County Council under what is known as the concessionary fares scheme – bus passes. Please note that if this is the only use you make of your bus pass it will not be automatically renewed when it expires.
“The shopper buses are available to anyone with a bus pass regardless of age.
“The more people that use the shoppers the more secure the service will be – use it or lose it!
“The Community Bus service is also available for hire to clubs, groups, societies, care homes etc. We have buses with either 28 or 16 seats available, all of these have disabled access and facility to secure passengers using wheelchairs who need to remain in their wheelchair.
“If you would like further information or have any enquiries, please contact Melksham TIC on 01225 707424.”
