An important public meeting is planned for Faringdon to decide how a vital new community mini-bus service will be run. The event will be held at Faringdon Community College, Small Hall at 7.30pm on Thursday 21st June. Local people are invited to come along to suggest a route and timetable for the bus. Volunteers are also sought to take part in setting up and running the project.
A proposal has been developed by a local group, with the help of the Rural Community Council and the Vale Housing Association. Caroline Bellanger, Rural Transport Project Worker at the Community Council explained “The proposal for the £30,000 project is now ready to present to a wider audience. We are in the final stages of securing funding from the Countryside Agency and the Regional Development Agency, but we need local support and suggestions on what form the mini-bus service should take.”
“Research with residents revealed a real need for a run-around local bus service in Faringdon” said Alison Jennings, Communications & Research Manager for the Vale Housing Association. “Many people are reliant on local taxis to make short journeys to the doctors or shops. Parents have difficult getting their kids to school if they attend a number of different schools and the school-run causes traffic congestion in the town. There must be a better solution. This is why we are hoping to establish a new community mini-bus.”