Dursley community group have high hopes for new minibus (From Gazette Series)

Dursley Association for the Transport of the Elderly and Disabled (DATE) are hoping their new minibus will pull in the numbers

4:00pm Tuesday 5th February 2013 in Gloucestershire news By Daniel Chipperfield

GET on board is the message from a Dursley volunteer group who have just bought a brand new bus to take people where they need to go.

Fundraising and grants have enabled the Dursley Association for the Transport of the Elderly and Disabled (DATE) to purchase a shiny new 12-person minibus to escort people on days out or meet with friends for lunch.

The group provides a number of organisations and sheltered housing communities in the area the ability to visit theatres, restaurants and nearby towns for shopping.

While arranged for certain events every week, such as Monday Munch at Dursley Methodist Church and various lunch clubs, the van is also available for specific one-off events for those who would otherwise find it difficult to get around.

And with it costing a pound a mile for up to 12 people, association chairman Phillip Staddon said the service should really be taken advantage of.

"We respond to demand really," said.

"It does get a bit of use but it doesn’t get as much use as it can.

"If there are people in the community to whom it would be useful, we have a shiny new bus and a whole troop of volunteers."

The group are also looking to sell the minibus’ eight-year-old predecessor.

For more information on hiring the minibus and driver or joining trips the minibus provides, contact Phillip Staddon on 01453 544312 or Ronnie Harding on 01453 547080.