New Ludlow Traveller ring and ride bus service needs volunteer drivers
The new Ludlow Traveller ring and ride bus service needs volunteer drivers to come forward to help a growing number of people signing up to use the new service.
The service, which is being funded by a Government sustainable transport grant awarded to Shropshire Council, will use a 14-seater minibus and a wheelchair-accessible people carrier to take people who currently find it difficult to access existing public transport from their door to their destination to go shopping, meet friends, make medical appointments or go on group outings.
The minibus will be available on three days of the week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) and the adapted people carrier on all seven days of the week. The two vehicles will be based at Helena Lane Day Centre in Hamlet Road. The service will be run by an existing Shropshire community transport scheme which will register new members and bookings using the local booking number 01584 700907. Routes and schedules can only be established when available volunteer drivers come forward.
To volunteer you will need a clean driving licence and a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (the new name for a Criminal Records Bureau, CBS, check). There will be a free one day MiDAS training course delivered locally. Drivers can leave their cars safely at Helena Lane whilst out driving the vehicles.
Chair of the steering group overseeing the introduction of the new service, Councillor Rosanna Taylor-Smith, said:
“It is encouraging to see the level of interest in the new service, but if demand is to be met and for the service to flourish in the future, it’s really important the service recruits sufficient volunteer drivers.”
Claire Wild, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for highways and transport, added:
“The Ludlow Traveller is a great example of what communities can do, with the help of local councillors, to provide services specifically tailored for their area. The removal of the countywide ShropshireLink service has been well-documented, and initiatives like this can provide a viable alternative in a much more cost-effective way, because they are designed by local people for local people.
“If you are interested in becoming a volunteer driver and helping provide this very important service we would be delighted to hear from you.”
Please contact The Ludlow Traveller on 01584 700907 for more details of how to become a volunteer driver.
Further information
To use the bus, people need to register and pay a £12 annual membership fee, with trips then costing £1 for a single journey and £2 for a return. Children would pay 50p for a single and £1 for a return. Group membership will cost £30 a year, with mileage of £1.25 per mile.
