New door-to-door bus service launched to help people with mobility issues

A door-to-door shopper bus service designed to help people with mobility issues across Three Rivers has been launched.

Three Rivers District Council, in partnership with Hertfordshire-based voluntary and community organisation Communities 1st, is providing the low floor minibus designed for wheelchair users and people who have difficulties with steps.

The fully accessible, door to door service to major supermarkets in the local area provides a more sociable, low cost alternative to taxi/private hire journeys for those who face challenges in using standard public transport.

Cllr Paul Rainbow, Lead Member for Transport and Economic Development, said: “Everyone should have easy access to bus services to the shops across our district, whatever their circumstances. We hope this new service will prove to be a big help the people who need it and I am delighted that we are working with Communities 1st to make this happen.”

Volunteer shopper bus buddies can also assist with shopping in store, fetching items, carrying bags and help with boarding on and off the bus.

Stephen Craker, Chief Executive of Communities 1st, said: “We are delighted to extend our friendly, reliable and convenient, doorstep service for residents across the district of Three Rivers. This will help people who have restricted mobility, or you care for a person who has, are unable to use public transport or who may be isolated due to their out-of-town location to access to stores selling a wider range of supplies than they can get locally.”

The service costs £6 for a door to door return journey and £2 extra with a carer. The bus operates four days a week covering the following areas:

Monday:

South Oxhey & Carpenders Park to Tesco (Watford)

Tuesday:

Abbots Langley, Bedmond & Leavesden to Asda and Sainsbury's (Watford)

Sarratt, Chandler's Cross, Loudwater & Croxley Green to Waitrose and Tesco (Rickmansworth)

Thursday:

Rickmansworth, Moor Park, & Mill End to Waitrose and Tesco (Rickmansworth)

South Oxhey, Carpenders Park to Waitrose and Tesco (Rickmansworth)

Friday:

Chorleywood, Maple Cross, & West Hyde to Waitrose and Tesco (Rickmansworth)

Rickmansworth, Moor Park & Mill End to Waitrose and Tesco (Rickmansworth)

For more information please visit:  www.communities1st.org.uk/shopper

To sign up for the shopper bus service, email Communities 1st at: travel@communities1st.org.uk

Or call on: 01727 649980 between 9.30am - 4pm, Mon-Fri

PHOTO: (From left) Cllr Stephen Giles-Medhurst, Deputy Leader of the Three Rivers District Council and
Lead Member for Infrastructure and Planning Policy, with bus passengers Sue Noise and Doreen Wilson and Richard the driver.