Bridgnorth transport service in drive for volunteers
A community transport service in Bridgnorth is in need of new volunteer drivers to ensure it can continue to help people.
Bridgnorth Community Transport Group is facing a driver shortage as some of its volunteers are approaching retirement.
It has made an appeal for more people to step forward to drive minibuses for people in the area who have difficulty accessing other forms of transport.
Peter Hassall, from Shifnal, is one of the volunteers who drives for the BCTG and says the group urgently needs to find more drivers. He said: "I have been working here for 10 years as a volunteer driver and have decided to stop in July next year.
"I will be 75 then and that feels about the right time for me to stop, but it obviously means that it is one less driver the group will have."
Peter, who works about one day a week on average, said that the role of a volunteer is a very rewarding one.
He said: "I came to be a driver after I retired from my full-time job and I did it because I wanted to give something back to the community. I like helping people and the service we operate does that: we help people get out and about who lack any other means to do that."
"I have also taken local youth clubs out on trips and also girl guides – and I have even driven in a Santa costume at one point."
The BCTG was started in 2005 as a Shropshire Council initiative and it now operates three vehicles – two 15-seaters and a 14-seater – all with wheelchair access. There are currently half a dozen volunteers who drive the buses.
Lila Brown, who works in the BCTG office in St John's Street, said the group was seeking more drivers.
She said: "Ideally we would like retired people or anyone under 60 who has the time to give be a volunteer.
"We have a MIDAS driver who gives the volunteers full training, but they need a D1 category on their licence to enable them to drive minibuses."
Anyone wishing to use the BCTG services has to register and pay a £5 annual fee. Fares vary, but the twice-weekly service from Claverley to Bridgnorth costs £4, while the Saturday service from Cleobury Mortimer to Bridgnorth costs £6.50. For further information visit www.bridgnorthcommunitybus.org.uk and to find out more about volunteering call Lila Brown on (01746) 768539.
