A BRAND new minibus worth approximately £50,000 will soon be making its way to Tavistock Area Support Services (TASS).

It was announced last week that TASS, along with another 300 community transport groups in England, will receive a minibus from the Department for Transport's £25-million community transport minibus fund, supporting the delivery of transport through the voluntary sector.

The news came as a welcome surprise to TASS's general manager Andy Lyle, who said the new bus would allow TASS to continue the much-needed community transport service it already provided.

'Our minibuses provide transport 365 days a year, 12 hours a day, to community groups, older people and disabled people living in the Tavistock area, helping them get out and about,' said Andy.

'This brand new minibus will really benefit TASS's longevity of being able to provide transport for people in Tavistock and the outlying areas.

'TASS has five minibuses, all driven by a core of volunteers and our aim is to replace them once they are ten years old or reach 200,000 miles.

'This new bus will replace an existing vehicle, which has covered over 150,000 miles, enabling us to continue to support the many community groups and TASS members for years to come.

'We are all really pleased with the announcement‚ it shows the value placed on community groups by central government.'

Andy said that it had not been announced which bus TASS will receive but the hope was for a 16-seater minibus with disability friendly access.

The funding will help support elderly residents, disabled people and those who do not have access to a commercial bus service, living in Tavistock and surrounding areas.

The minibuses will improve the everyday lives of people in rural communities and provide a vital link to medical services, shops and social events.

Transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: 'I know first hand how important transport providers like these can be to keep rural areas alive and protect the independence of local residents.

'They are often the lifeblood of local communities so it is only right that the Government gives them the support they deserve.

'This £25-million fund will buy over 300 new vehicles, some specially adapted, to help these organisations continue to carry out their important work in the community.'