Eastern plans village buses
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• Revolutionary plans for providing bus transport for remote villages within its area are now being formulated by Eastern Counties Ltd, the National Bus Company subsidiary in Norfolk.
A likely development — possibly this autumn — is a bus which can be used by the inhabitants of a village for local trips as well as for carrying such items as prescriptions, newspapers and general goods. What the company is envisaging is the handing over of a suitable vehicle, possibly with about 24 seats and space for parcels, to a local man. Villagers would then be able to book the bus when they required. It would not operate regular services initially though it is thought a pattern might well emerge after some months.
A spokesman for Eastern Counties told CM this week that it was not expected to make money out of the venture. It was hoped that local authorities might make subsidies available. Such a system would be a worthwhile means of easing the blow to communities when regular bus services ceased because of inadequate loadings. A rationalization of services in. north Norfolk is planned for the autumn and the introduction of such a system might be timed to coincide with it Eastern Counties is also understood to be considering the provision of Dial-a-ride services.