A NEW lifeline community bus is to be launched at the end of this month to prevent residents in Malvern’s surrounding villages from being completely stranded following the axing of vital routes earlier this year.
Charities Community Action and Malvern Dial-a-Ride have been involved in rolling out the new CB3 bus which will enable passengers from Malvern Wells, Hanley Swan, Hanley Castle, Upton-upon-Severn and Welland to make a return to journey into town from Mondays to Saturdays.
Passengers will also be able to travel to Barnards Green, Great Malvern and Malvern Link railway stations, Prospect View Medical Centre and the Malvern Shopping Park.
Following the withdrawal of First Bus’ off-peak 362 and 364 services between Upton and Malvern in April, Worcestershire County Council stepped in to provide a new service, called Malferna. That was put on a temporary six-month basis to fill the void while a permanent solution was found.
Those using the axed routes filled out surveys, while Malvern Hills District Council, the county council and parish councillors all got together to discuss what could be done and this has resulted in the new CB3 bus which will run for the next 12 months from Monday, October 31.
Jacci Phillips, chief officer at Community Action, said the new arrangement was a good example of communities, councillors and organisations working in harmony, adding the new service, which benefits from county councillors’ divisional funding, would be a huge benefit to residents in villages surrounding Malvern.
She said: “I am pleased councillors are acknowledging the different benefits community transport can bring to their area.
“This new service will be a huge benefit to local people who would otherwise have no means to travel into Malvern.
“We have stepped in because we know there are people without transport and we realise people are going to be stuck so we are doing this to help the community.”
As the new CB3 is being run as a community bus, journeys will need to be booked in advance, providing passengers a more personal service with greater flexibility.
Journeys may also be provided by Community Action’s voluntary car and Dial-a-Ride services.
Leading county and district councillor Tom Wells, who launched and submitted a 500-strong petition earlier this year to find a replacement bus, as well as helped fund the Malferna service, said he was disappointed the regular timetabled service had been axed.
He said: “I will be doing my best to promote the new service but I am desperately disappointed we have lost the timetabled service between Upton-upon-Severn and Malvern.
“People in Malvern Wells and Hanley Swan are going to be left without a service for much of the day.”
County council officials said they were delighted to have found a solution but whether the service continues after 12 months depends on passenger usage.
Coun Marcus Hart, responsible for highways at Worcestershire County Council, said: “We are delighted to confirm that we now have two local Community Transport Groups operating a bus service linking the rural communities.
“The county council will continue to monitor this service, and options beyond the initial 12-month period will depend on studies of passenger usage.”
For further information about the new community bus and to book a seat, call 01684 892381.
