STAFF at Tavistock Country Bus are calling for more passengers as dwindling numbers threaten service restrictions.

Formed in 1981 and having recently celebrated its 30th birthday, Tavistock Country Bus provides transport links for the community to various destinations around Devon and Cornwall.

Enabling elderly people and other public members who are unable to get around to do their shopping, the bus travels to Launceston, Trago Mills, Exeter, Plymouth and also visits Torquay and Dawlish on a Saturday during the summer months.

However, due to a decrease in the number of passengers on some trips and restrictions on funding for the service, the less well populated trips are in danger of being withdrawn if not used by more people.

Ray Stenning, a volunteer driver, said: ‘We would really like to be able to keep all the services running and even to expand our routes where there is a need, as they form a vital link for some rural folk, but financial restraints mean that we can only run where there are enough passengers to make it worthwhile.

‘Our bus service is constantly under pressure in the current financial climate and its existence, as with other local services such as shops, post offices or pubs, has to be justified at all stages.’

The service, run entirely by volunteer staff and drivers, performs a welcome and vital service for so many people in rural communities and its especially important to those without transport.

Yvette Griffiths, from Tavistock, a customer of Tavistock Country Bus, said: ‘The bus is such a friendly and reliable service and it’s a lifeline for me and allows me to go and do my shopping in Tavistock. It’s a pity more people don’t take advantage of it.’

Another local passenger, Mrs Roberts said: ‘I wouldn’t be able to get around without this service, there aren’t any other buses unless you go up to the main road.’

The bus mainly serves the people of Tavistock but Ray said that if there were other communities in the area in which people were finding it hard to get around, Tavistock Country Bus would consider additional routes if they proved practical.

He added: ‘Many of our passengers have concessionary travel passes and use the service entirely free of charge.

‘The main aim is to provide a reliable and regular service for the people of Tavistock but more and more buses are being withdrawn from routes which are considered uneconomic by the larger bus companies.’

Chairman elect, Derek De Glanville, said: ‘We really want to get our name better known so that we can continue to receive vital funding.

‘Without this service people won’t be able to get around and it’s a great social aspect.’

l Pictured left with the Tavistock Country Bus are volunteer drivers Clive Fairchild (pictured front) and Ray Stenning.