34 Coleridge Bus THE
THE COLERIDGE BUS PROVIDES A VITAL LIFELINE TO MANY PEOPLE LIVING IN RURAL VILLAGES AROUND KINGSBRIDGE. From Tuesday to Friday mornings it meanders around the country lanes picking up residents from Stoken- ham, Chillington, Frogmore, Beesands and beyond, and takes them into Kingsbridge for a couple of hours. Passengers phone up the night
before to book their seat. The volun- teer driver has a list, appears to know everyone by name and helps people to the door with their shopping on the return trips. The bus can also accommodate cyclists booked in ad- vance and is available for private hire. Chairman Steve Manchip said:
“The Coleridge has been running for 40 years, one of the longest running community bus services in the South West. “We’re quite a unique service and the only large bus community transport provider in Devon and Cornwall – we’re not a mini bus, we’re a proper 22-seater large bus. “The bus is owned by a charity and
runs Department of Transport routes – the same rules and regulations apply to us as apply to Stagecoach.” Steve has been driving the
Coleridge Bus for 20 years and been chairman of the charity for 18 years. He’s lived in Frogmore since 1980 and retired there after working in finance in the City. He added: “After 20 years I know
everyone by name. It’s a very special service, not many do what we do. We operate under a permit 22 allowing the flexibility of operation needed to provide bus routes to meet all of our users various needs. “All our volunteer drivers go the extra mile for our passengers. Most
Steve has been driving the Coleridge Bus for 20 years and been chairman of the charity for 18 years.
are working still. I fill in for any of the drivers and cover all four routes. I’m chairman of the charity so do what I’m told!” The charity currently has seven
drivers and a team of support volunteers who take the phone bookings. The routes are flexible and the bus is also used to run occasional afternoon excursions.
“The Coleridge has been running for 40 years, one of the longest running
community bus services in the South West.
It’s a self-supporting charity with all
funds raised through fares, fundrais- ing and donations. Passengers can use their concessionary passes on the routes, which the charity claims back from Devon County Council. Steve added: “We’re a small charity
that is often overlooked by fundrais- ing events. I call it a Cinderella charity. “We’re always needing new drivers.
All our volunteer drivers hold PCV licences, We pay all expenses includ-
ing training. These are the hardest licences to get and qualify them to drive anything from a small bus to a double- decker. “The Coleridge Bus charity was
founded in 1978 when parish councils in the Coleridge area realised residents and visitors couldn’t get into town. The first bus set out in May 1979. “We needed a bus service to replace those that had been discontinued. We operated within the Tally Ho! licence for the first 30 years and have our own permit now. “A lot of people now have two or
three cars in their household but some people still need public transport. Some of our regulars wouldn’t be in their homes if we didn’t operate. We’re serving a social need.” Steve Manchip picked up the top
accolade of Community Transport Volunteer of the Year at the 20th
this year. It was estimated that Steve has
dedicated more than 6,370 hours of his time to the Coleridge Bus service. Steve was also one of three award winners in the Volunteer Transport Enabler category.
Devon
County Council Community Transport Awards on July 18th
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