THE first five successful months of the Fare Car service in Okehampton were marked last Wednesday at Okehampton Hospital. The Fare Car service provides a taxi-style service to and from designated points in Okehampton from villages including Beaworthy, Black Torrington, Exbourne, Highampton, Inwardleigh, Jacobstowe, Northlew and Sheepwash. Like a bus service, Fare Car has fixed arrival and departure times, but operates only for passengers who have pre-booked. The Devon County Council-supported scheme operates six days a week. County council executive member for environment Cllr Margaret Rogers visited Okehampton last week to meet passengers who make regular use of the service. Mrs Rogers said: ?This new service provides a range of journey opportunities for those people living in isolated rural communities who have a less than daily bus service or no bus service at all, and have no other means of transport. ?The Fare Car service is designed for people of all ages, not only those visiting the hospital, but also for people working, studying, shopping or using leisure facilities in the town.? She continued: ?I hope the service will become a permanent feature of Devon?s transport network and trust more people from these rural communities will make use of it.? The Fare Car service which is operated by local taxi firm Tors Taxis drops passengers in Okehampton at Market Street, the hospital, the medical centre, Exeter Road Industrial Estate and the railway station. To find out more about the Fare Car scheme or to book a journey telephone 01837 840860.
