Rural transport scheme shifts into high gear (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Rural transport scheme shifts into high gear

RESIDENTS in Wootton Bassett, Brinkworth and Tockenham are set to benefit from a new subsidised taxi scheme.

Organisers hope the Transport4U scheme, which is the first of its kind in Wiltshire, will transform the lives of people without cars.

Councillors from the three councils have now finalised the new rural transport initiative, which is set to be launched at the beginning of April.

The scheme follows a £30,000 grant from the Countryside Agency to improve transport facilities in the area.

Jonathan Bourne, Wootton Bassett town clerk, said: "There are various things that need to be done and we are in the process of installing some phone lines and producing a leaflet with all the information about the scheme.

"Another meeting has been organised for February 23 and we hope to have it up and running by the beginning of April."

The three-part project includes a taxi voucher scheme to allow people in areas with no regular bus services to travel at subsidised rates.

There will also be a community car share scheme and an information service, based in Wootton Bassett council offices, to help people identify transport that is available.