OKEHAMPTON and District Community Transport Group has unveiled its brand new community minibus, which was bought thanks to a grant from the Department for Transport.

The 15 seater vehicle was adapted so it is wheelchair accessible. The group has bought the bus with the intention of not only providing access to health appointments but also social events and day trips.

The bus was on show to the public for the first time at the community transport awareness roadshow on Saturday, June 4 at Co’op’s car park in Okehampton.

Sue Wonnacott, co-ordinator of the transport group, said: ‘The vehicle will be available for both community groups and our own lifestyle trips.

‘Our aim is to help everyone not only access healthcare but also social events to improve quality of life, particularly those who are rurally isolated.

‘Perhaps you have a group of friends who would like to visit a place of interest. Please speak to us about any requirements and we will do our best to provide transport.

‘If you have a smaller group we can use our seven seater Peugeot wheelchair accessible vehicle.

‘We would like to obtain further sponsorship for other costs including insurance and can offer advertising on our vehicle as an incentive!

‘We will be publishing a list of trips which can be booked with our office for both weekday and weekends, subject to us obtaining enough bookings for the journey to be viable.

‘These will be available to view on our website and our Facebook page.’

The transport group also runs a ring and ride service which currently has spare capacity. The service collects users from their front door and drops them into Okehampton at a destination of their choice, such as on Fore Street, outside one of the town’s supermarkets or at Castle Ham Lodge for one of their many activity sessions.

Sue expressed thanks to Balsdon’s Vehicle Services who are sponsoring the ongoing maintenance of the vehicle and Tyred and Exhausted, who will be supplying replacement tyres when required.