Community bus service faces the end of the road

Sandy’s Talk of the Town Community Transport bus takes senior citizens and the disabled from around Sandy and the surrounding area out and about to social events.

The service has been running since 1982 – but a lack of volunteers means the service is facing the end of the road.

Chairman David Woodhouse explained: “We either need a revived committee or to get rid of the bus.

“The current committee of volunteers urgently need community spirited new blood to keep the service running.

“There is a very healthy bank balance and the vehicle is in good shape but the need is for people to organise bookings and for drivers.

“The problem we’ve got at the moment is that the committee members are too old to drive the bus.

“We have either got to find new volunteers, or get rid of the bus. We could give it to the Ivel Sprinter service, but then it wouldn’t be based in Sandy any more and that’s really important to us.”

David explained that the service is not short of people who want to us e the bus.

Recent users have included Ivel Stroke Club, with members using the bus to get to their monthly meetings; carers in Bedfordshire to help provide transport to their Carers Cafes, which take place twice a month; Sandy Lunch Club, with the elderly taken to get togethers at Quince Court and residents of Handley Court, Stonecroft, Copelands, Jakes Court and Taymer Nursing home who use the bus to take residents on outings.

Other community groups such as Great Barford Good Companions, Sandy Townswomen’s Guild and Sandy Historical Society also use the bus.

David added: ”Talk of the Town is a valued asset to Sandy and we want to keep it going.”

All drivers are volunteers and are covered by the group’s public liability insurance. Drivers need to be under the age of 70 and have a D1 qualification on their licence.

Volunteers can do as much or as little as they like.

The bus can carry 13 passengers or up to 3 wheelchairs if some seats are removed

If you can spare a few hours per week to drive or help organise bookings please contact David on 01767 680829 or councillor Chris Butterfield on 01767 691130