A Handy Bus for Laxfield?

Do you want:

• A regular bus service between Laxfield and Halesworth and the communities inbetween? 
• A bus that takes you closer to your door than the regular stop?
• Someone who can do things like collecting from shops or take back library books if you can't go out?
• A bus service run not-for-profit where the passengers take the decisions? 

The Handy Bus Club is a pilot project presently operated by Suffolk ACRE between Sibton, Peasenhall and Halesworth. Since the axe fell on their scheduled bus services, people in Laxfield have asked if it can be run for them too.

Yes it can, IF enough people in the community join the club to hire the buses and enough volunteer to be a ‘Bus Buddy’ (who travel free) and enough will be trustees of a charity to operate it. Club subscriptions and external funding can cover the operating costs.

The aim of the Handy Bus is to have a schedule set by passengers and coordinated with businesses, activities and health services to enable rurally isolated people to access them when public transport isn’t practical because of service gaps or an inability to book in advance.

The Handy Bus also has a local volunteer ‘Bus Buddy’ on board who can fulfil errands to enable people to remain independent or provide care for someone. Members can also telephone or text the bus for pick-ups and the bus buddy can notify waiting passengers of imminent arrival.

If you would like the Handy Bus to serve Laxfield and inbetween villages and can help with running it, please get in touch without delay. With enough people, the Handy Bus can serve Laxfield as soon as April 4th with 3 runs a day on Monday & Wednesday, enabling 2 or 4 hours in Halesworth but much has to be done before present operations cease on March 30th. 

To find out more, call: Nat Bocking, Suffolk ACRE Community Development Researcher on 07739 324630 or email nat.bocking@suffolkacre.org.uk

Suffolk ACRE, 160 Hadleigh Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP2 0HH Reception 01473 345300