A new community bus has launched in Llandrindod Wells, thanks to funding from the National Lottery.

Llanwrtyd Wells Community Transport welcomed their bus, which seats 16 people, with a view to run two days a week. They hope to extend to three days, as well as eventually offering one Saturday a month. The aim of the bus is to provide community transport services and offer social inclusion to those who need extra support to get out and about.

They welcomed their bus at the Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations building in Llandrindod Wells, where the High Sheriff of Powys cut a red ribbon to declare the bus open.

Laura Burns, General Manager of Llanwrtyd Wells Community Transport, told The Brecon and Radnor Express: “Having the bus gives us the opportunity to help people and make a difference to people’s lives. The bus gives us more flexibility to be able to help more people in the communities we cover. There have been challenges, but seeing the difference in people using the service makes it all worthwhile. This is a fairly unique service as it is community led and we have no set timetable.

“In the beginning we started by having just 1 or 2 users, but as word got out about the service numbers quickly grew. It has been so uplifting to see it grow and see the difference it makes to the lives of the users. We now have 50 registered users of the service.”

The new bus is a Mercedes Sprinter. It has been converted by GM Coachworks in Newton Abbot, Devon to be fully accessible, so it can carry wheelchair users, has low access steps making it easier for less mobile people to access and even has little features like braille markings on the hand rail so visually impaired people know how many steps there are to get into the bus. It caters to people in Llandrindod Wells, Builth, Llanwrtyd and surrounding villages.

“When they go to Llandrindod, there is no set route, the service is totally user led,” Laura says. “We drop people in the town, at supermarkets, the library, leg clinics, GPs, pharmacy, you name it and the bus will try and get them there. Having access to all these services allows many of the users to stay in their own home and remain independent for longer.

“On the alternating Tuesdays when the bus doesn’t go to Llandrindod, the users all decided where they want to go, it is their special day out! They have been to places like Abergavenny, Leominster, Hereford, Brecon, Merthyr, Aberystwyth, Tenby, all over the place! They have been for canal boat rides, garden centres, and so many more places! By giving them the chance to decide where they want to go, it gives them a sense of independence again.”

Linda, a user of the bus who was in attendance at the celebration event, said: “I can’t drive now I’m older. It’s an absolute life saver. We’d be isolated without it. They do so much for us. I use it every week. There’s a community on the bus.

“You feel like you’re not alone when you talk to the other ladies, widows like I am. It really is a life saver.”

Laura emphasises the need of the bus to address social isolation. “Social isolation is a massive issue, especially in rural areas, but just as much in the towns and villages if someone struggles to get out of the house. The impact of being isolated is massive, both mentally and physically.

“One of our regular users first started using the bus needing lots of help and support, she had suffered a stroke and had lost a lot of confidence. Within weeks of using the service, she was joining in the chatter, was able to go into the post office without assistance and had a smile on her face again. Every single one of the people accessing the bus has a similar story to tell. Some have in the past used online shopping to get groceries, but they said having the face to face interactions with other people on the bus is what they need.

“There have been really good friendships made on the bus and they all look after each other, if one has a problem, they chat with others on the bus and usually a solution or options are found between them. Services like this can be a lifeline to its users, it really can be lifesaving.”

If you are looking to access the service, contact details are [email protected]. Phone number is 01982552727 or more information will be on the website www.lwct.org.uk.