The new once weekly bus service from Wallingford to Didcot operated by Going Forward Buses in Goring began yesterday. Five passengers from the village joined the fourteen seater minibus. Two people had joined the bus at Shillingford Hill Homes Park, three from Berinsfield and one passenger at Clifton Hampden.
The new Wednesday service for Long Wittenham has been welcomed by residents, particularly the elderly and those without transport. The Parish Council has also praised it and hopes Going Forward Buses will introduce more services in the future.
Parish Council chairman Gordon Rogers said: “After the disappointment of losing village bus services almost three years ago this new service is welcome and long overdue. But its success will depend on how much use villagers make of it. It comes back to the old phrase: use it or lose it.”
The director of Going Forward Buses Mike Ward said: “I was very encouraged by the response from passengers to our new service. Its success will be in the hands of passengers. It’s important that people continue to use the service or it will fall by the wayside.”
The minibus arrives at the bus shelter opposite The Plough in Long Wittenham 10.11am and stops at the Tesco store in Didcot, Aldi, the Broadway and terminates at the railway station at 10.28. The return journey leaves the station at 12.05pm and arrives back in Long Wittenham at 12.24pm.
A single fare to Didcot is £3, a return £6. Children five to eighteen will be able to travel at half-price. The bus accepts concessionary travel passes.
More information can be found on the Going Forward Buses website.
