CHIEF executive of the Community Transport Association UK Keith Halstead paid a visit to the Ockment Centre on Tuesday to meet trustees, staff and volunteers from the Okehampton and District Community Transport Group. Mr Halstead was on a two-day visit to the county where he saw some of the projects at work. The Okehampton group operates the local Ring and Ride minibus service and a voluntary car scheme which is funded in partnership with Devon County Council. Volunteer drivers have been recruited from villages in the area to provide the service, using their own cars, to help people who cannot use public transport to get to essential services and appointments. Representatives from the voluntary management committee of Tavistock Community Bus also travelled to Okehampton for the meeting with Mr Halstead. They were there to promote the contribution which community buses make to the local transport network. Some of the buses have been operating for 30 years, providing timetabled bus services in remote areas.