A valuable public transport service which provides a vital link for isolated communities in the Tavistock area is facing a crisis, due to problems in manning levels.
Tavistock Community Bus carries around 1,000 passengers a year on its regular routes between Tavistock and outlying villages, and further afield.
But now its hard-working co-ordinator, Giles Baigent, is having to step down temporarily due to ill health and unless someone can be found to fill his shoes, the service cannot continue to run in its present fashion.
Mr Baigent, who has single-handedly co-ordinated the service for 17 years, said: ?We really are desperate for a co-ordinator now ? I don?t know how we are going to be able to manage otherwise.
?When we started, we had three co-ordinators and we used to do two weeks on, four off. Now there?s only me.?
Mr Baigent is already having problems driving and is due to undergo an operation in December.
?We could muddle it through with the drivers for a while, but it means they are going to have to take on co-ordinating as well and when you get the occasional glitch, that?s going to affect the service,? he said.
Mr Baigent is concerned about the extra burden on volunteer drivers and that reliability of the service could be compromised.
The co-ordinator?s duties include being at the bus depot in Pixon Lane at about 8.40am, checking out the vehicle and the ticket machine and seeing it out with its driver.
The co-ordinator has to see the bus in at the end of the day, about 3pm on weekdays and 6.30pm on Saturdays, get the vehicle refuelled, do the banking once a week and keep schedules up to date.
All expenses are paid by Tavistock Community Transport.
Mr Baigent said if two or three volunteers could be found to take on the co-ordinator role, the workload could be reduced substantially.
The bus can be driven on a normal driving licence ? volunteers just need to be willing and reliable.
Anyone who feels they could help keep Tavistock Community Bus on the road should call Giles Baigent on 01822 870433.