A NEW minibus service connecting Chagford, Drewsteignton and Moretonhampstead with Exeter is due to start tomorrow (Friday).
The minibus will run at the same time every Friday and Saturday evening, leaving central Exeter at 11pm. It is the result of three years? work by the three parish councils and Moretonhampstead Development Trust, which will run the service on their behalf.
A £16,000 grant from the Countryside Agency will help fund the service, which has also been supported by the Devon Local Transport Partnership and Devon County Council, until March 2006.
In a local transport survey last year, late night transport back from Exeter was the most frequently mentioned need. The service will use the existing East Dartmoor Community and Schools Transport Association minibus, which is available for group bookings at other times.
For legal reasons, people will need to join a new club, East Dartmoor Travel Club, before travelling. A leaflet with an application form will be delivered to all households in the area by next week. Moretonhampstead Information Centre on 01647 440043 will run the membership and booking, but tickets will also be available from Chagford and Drewsteignton post offices.
Tickets will cost £3 until the New Year, when they will go up to £3.50. The drivers will not handle any cash.
Steve Melia of Moreton Development Trust said this was a great opportunity to address one of the big transport needs of the rural area.
The service is being run on an experimental basis and its continuation depends on its useage. If there is a demand, there will be a fight to retain the grant when it comes to an end.