Community Connexions is a Gloucestershire-based charity and is the largest provider of community transport in the county.
With the support of Motability, Community Connexions will introduce a new accessible minibus service for the North Cotswolds. This will supplement the existing services provided by Cotswold Friends.
The new service will provide door-to-door services for people who cannot access any other form of transport. Primarily it will provide shopper routes – taking people from rurally isolated areas to their nearest supermarket, thereby providing independence and choice. It is also an opportunity for people to chat to their fellow passengers.
However, it will also serve clubs, other charities and social events where larger groups of people need to get to one destination.
Permission to run bus routes lies with the Traffic Commissioner and the timelines for the introduction of services therefore depends on their response, but we are hoping to commence initial services in late April or early May.
Community Connexions is liasing with town and parish councils about the new services and how they can best assist their residents. However, interested parties are welcome to contact the charity.
Paul Riddick, CEO of Community Connexions, says
“We are delighted to be bringing this new service to the North Cotswolds and hope isolated residents take advantage of our new routes. Community Connexions already serves most of the county and it has long been our ambition to provide the same services in perhaps the most rural part of the county. This has only been possible through the support of Motability which recognised the need for bus routes in the area, especially as commercial routes have been reduced. We very much look forward to working with residents to develop the services they need.”
To find out more about the new service call Community Connexions on 0345 6805029 or email info@communityconnexions.org.uk