A NEW town bus will soon be on the road in Lyme Regis as the town council takes delivery of the vehicle ahead of its launch in May.
A free community bus service, called Lyme Link, will start on Wednesday 7 May with a new 16-seater minibus and an improved route.
The town bus has been saved by Lyme Regis Town Council after funding for the number 71 was withdrawn by Dorset Council in August.
An appeal to the community for volunteer drivers and passenger assistants was successful and all the final arrangements are now being made for the launch next month.
The minibus has arrived in Lyme Regis, ready for driver training and for graphics to be added to the exterior.
The service will run on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 9am and 5pm, with a new route to include Uplyme, the Woodmead Halls and the new housing estates at Woodberry Down and Garmans Field.
The mayor, Cllr Philip Evans is pleased the council can deliver on its promise to do all it could do revive the town bus.
He said: “When Dorset Council withdrew funding for the Lyme Regis town bus, which had been operational since 2017, we gave an undertaking to the people of Lyme Regis that we would not leave a stone unturned in our efforts to replace the service.
"The town bus was particularly popular with the elderly and infirm, enabling them to pop into town for shopping and for some it was the only interaction they had with other townsfolk, staying on board the bus for the whole route.
"Since then, the council staff have spent hundreds of hours researching how to run a community bus service and the decision to purchase a 16-seater vehicle costing around £38,000 was approved unanimously by the Full Council.
“A team of 10 voluntary drivers have been recruited and the service will run on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays as from 7 May.
“The bus will be called Lyme Link and I am personally delighted that we have been able the fulfil the commitment we made to our residents to keep the service running.”
Cllr Evans was joined by Cllr Cheryl Reynolds, vice-chairman of the Tourism, Community and Publicity Committee, to have a first look at the new bus.
Cllr Reynolds, who runs the Talking Café at Hallett Court, which is attended by many of the former town bus regulars, knows how important the service is to residents.
She said: “It was a real pleasure to be introduced to our town bus, it is immaculate inside and out and if I had known, I would have dressed up as I felt a blot on the landscape beside such a lovely vehicle.
“It has to be sign written, but it will be a great asset to this town and its people. I have difficulties, but even I could access the bus even with one arm as I am awaiting an elbow operation. Also, we will have helpers on the bus as well as a driver so it will be easy for everyone.
“I am sure it has been worth the wait to get this absolutely right and I can assure you, it is. Can’t wait for May. Enjoy every trip.”