THE success of the Fare Car service in Okehampton was due to be marked by an event on Wednesday. The service started in July and operates as an innovative taxi-style service but with fixed arrival and departure points and a timetable. It operates only when pre-booked by passengers. It serves a number of villages ? Beaworthy, Black Torrington, Exbourne, Highampton, Inwardleigh, Jacobstowe, Northlew and Sheepwash ? which do not have regular daily bus services. The service operates several times a day Monday to Saturday, including an evening service, with the last journey from Okehampton at 10.30pm. It is operated by local taxi firm Tors Taxis and the fare is £2.50 per single journey. Passengers are dropped in Okehampton at Market Street, the hospital, the medical centre, Exeter Road Industrial Estate and the railway station. It provides a convenient service for shoppers, people attending medical appointments, commuters, school and college students, visitors to the leisure centre and people travelling onwards by bus or train. One regular user is Margaret Hooley, of Northlew. Mrs Hooley books a seat twice a week to be able to attend hospital appointments and do some shopping. ?The service is absolutely wonderful,? said Margaret. ?I live out in the sticks and there is no public transport. The only option is to rely on family and friends. I can?t speak too highly of the service and the drivers who are all very nice and friendly. I hope more people will use the service and I am doing what I can to spread the word.? Mrs Hooley was the guest of honour when the county council?s executive member for environment, Cllr Margaret Rogers, visits Okehampton to monitor the success of the project. ?I am very pleased to be visiting Okehampton and meeting those who provide the Fare Car service and people who use the service like Mrs Hooley,? said Cllr Rogers. ?The service provides a lifeline for people living in isolated rural communities who don?t have a daily bus service.? For further information about the Fare Car service call 01392 382800.
