A COMMUNITY bus service could provide isolated Bromsgrove residents with a lifeline in the wake of the loss of the town’s 97 and 98 services.
BARN (Bromsgrove and Redditch Network) is looking at rolling out the BURT (Bromsgrove Urban Rural Transport) community bus to areas left without a service and wants to work with partner organisations to find out how many people are affected by a lack of public transport.
Bromsgrove Central councillor Rita Dent, who has been liaising with the community bus operator, said: “If the scheme is regularly used BARN may be able to look at accommodating other passengers or putting on extra services.”
The services are currently available on Tuesdays and Thursdays, operating between Catshill and Sidemoor and Bromsgrove town centre.
Fares are £2 (or £1 with bus pass) plus 50p-a-mile per journey equating to about £4 return with a bus pass to and from Bromsgrove from Catshill.
To and from Bromsgrove for Sidemoor residents will be around £3 with a bus pass, depending on exactly where they live.
Registration is free, and there is no annual membership fee.
Coun Dent added: “For elderly residents without cars, Bromsgrove can be isolating. Buses are a lifeline.
“The community bus currently has the capacity to take people in and out of town on Thursdays and Tuesdays.
“This is a good start.
“I will be working to link the community bus service with residents.”
Gary Roskell, chief executive of BARN, added: “It’s great that we are able to help residents out – that is exactly what a community minibus should be doing.
“We look forward to hearing from people if we can offer them a helping hand.”
Anyone wanting Coun Dent’s help with a bus service should call her on 07803 437460.
People need to register with the BURT service and can do so by calling 01527 585893.
They then need to call up a couple of days before to check availability on the bus they want and then to book a seat.
Advantages over regular bus services include the fact it is door-to-door. Visit burtrides.org.uk for more information or to register online.
