The subject of access to a ‘Community Bus’ for Saundersfoot is being explored.

Members of Saundersfoot Community Council’s ‘Community Liaison and Communications Working Party’ met reecently to discuss the matter.

Options were explored by Ray Wise when he was a Community Council member last year; and in summary, a need became apparent via local wellbeing events for Saundersfoot to have some form of community transport facility with feedback suggesting such transport would help ‘to assist some of our community who had difficulty accessing public transport for chores, appointments or even social visits to family, friends or places. This facility appeared to be vitally important to the aged, infirm and disability groups.’

“There are initiatives in Pembrokeshire that we could possibly make use of which Ray investigated,” said Cllr Sarah Whiddett in a report to the Community Council.

“He had meetings with PACTO who felt that Saundersfoot would be the ideal location for a community bus.

“This initiative has been ‘on ice’ since then but I felt it was something we should investigate further.“

Cllr Whiddett is now looking to arrange a meeting with PACTO to move things on.

It is hoped that the Community Council may be able to rent an electric powered community minibus vehicle via Pembrokeshire County Council for a sum of around £150/month for renting the bus, including the cost of insurance.

Cllr Whiddett also suggested that PCC might also assist with training of volunteer drivers, however there would be additional costs of administering bookings etc.

Welsh Government recently announced that people across Wales will have the chance to have their say on regional transport spending under new plans being set out, which will focus on introducing a more strategic approach to improving transport in each region of Wales to make it more accessible, sustainable, and efficient for communities.