A LIFELINE Droitwich bus service which was axed is set to be reinstated with a new provider.
The 17 was operated by Diamond until the end of last year and was then taken on by Finesse Accessible Travel but was withdrawn again.
Sheila Neary from the Droitwich Spa Area Forum for Older People wrote letters to the town, district and county councils, along with MP Nigel Huddleston, in a bid to save the service.
Yesterday Worcestershire County Council’s Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Highways Coun Alan Amos said: “The 17 service was not well used, however we have successfully worked with Droitwich Spa Rural Council for Voluntary Service which is an experienced Community Transport (CT) provider.”
The new CT service will run on Monday and Wednesday.
Because it is being run under a community transport scheme, people will have to register and pre-book but will be picked up near to their homes.
It is anticipated that the route will operate in similar areas to the original one, serving roads including Winslow Avenue, Cockshute Hill and The Holloway.
More details will be released in the next week or so when everything has been finalised.
“We have listened to residents and understand that it is important for people to be able to access local facilities.”
The forum said many older people depended on the bus to get to medical appointments, shopping trips and social activities and the loss would have left many lonely and isolated.
