A NEW Saturday bus service is starting this month for people in areas of Wimborne and Ferndown without access to public transport.

The charity called South East Dorset Community Accessible Transport (Sedcat) is providing a community minibus from Saturday, May 28, on a six-month pilot scheme.

Starting at Pamphill and Cowgrove, the minibus will pick passengers up at various locations on its route to Wimborne town centre including Shapwick, Queen Elizabeth Leisure Centre, Victoria Hospital, Cranfield Avenue, Wimborne Road, Sandy Lane, Middlehill Road, Cutlers Place, Jessopp Road, Hayes Lane, and Leigh Road.

The bus will also operate in Ferndown for people living around Clayford Avenue, Leeson Drive and Ameysford Road.

On its return journey, the bus will pick up from Holt, Furzehill, Gaunt’s Common, before arriving back in Wimborne.

Suzanne Leighton, organisation manager at Sedcat, said these were all areas where no public transport services are provided.

“In response to the plight of people in and around Wimborne without a bus service on a Saturday, we have been looking at how we can help using our community minibus.

“We are hearing that older people are talking of moving to other areas where local transport is better. This is a problem for small communities where transport is not available.

“Transport is vital in connecting people with services and facilities, and elderly and disabled people are particularly vulnerable to cuts and changes to local transport.”

The minibus will pick up passengers at or near to their homes and is wheelchair accessible. A return fare costs £4, and passengers will need to pre-book by calling 01202 399771 before the day of travel.

The service will run between 9am and 4pm.

Suzanne added: “As community bus services like ours are not included in the National Concessionary Bus Fares Scheme, unfortunately concessionary passes cannot be used.

“We have a fundraising page at localgiving.com/sedcat where people can donate to help with costs. We would also like to hear from anyone who might be interested in volunteering to drive the minibus as we can offer relevant training.

“We really hope the community will get behind this for the sake of those who are left stranded at the moment. In time, we may have a service which can be improved upon in terms of cost and delivery and will be responsive to the needs of the community.”