PASSENGERS using the Trowbridge Community Guild service will be able to sit more comfortably with a new bus thanks to a £50,000 grant from the Department for Transport.

The volunteer organisation has been running the minibus service for 40 years in the town and provides essential transport for older people and those with disabilities for shopping trips, visits to lunch and disability clubs and outings.

Chairman of Trowbridge Guild of Community Service, John Greenaway said by having the support of the DfT, he felt the service showed its worth to the public.

“It is a relief to say that the bus is finally here with the signs all in place and people using it,” he said.

“The whole idea of the Community Guild service is to help take infirm people or those with mobility difficulties out of their house to clubs or to the shops.

“To find out that we had been given the money, well we were thrilled and over the moon. The old bus was beginning to become expensive to run and maintain and so we couldn’t believe that we now have a new bus.”

The voluntary group first found out about the funding opportunity after the DfT contacted them through Community First.

“We were invited to bid for the funds and so we did, writing at how much the bus will help the people of Trowbridge,” Mr Greenaway added.

“We asked for a modified bus so that people were able to get on more easily and have room for wheelchairs at the back by repositioning the door to the front.

“The bus is in use every day and we’ve been running since the late 1970s and at that time, there were a lot of disabled groups in Trowbridge.

“Now we are constantly being asked for bookings which is great.”

The Department for Transport community minibus fund has supported more than 300 charities and community groups across England and has directly given funding to over 120 organisations which require bespoke vehicles.