Hop on the new Holsworthy hospital bus

GEOFFREY Cox, MP for Torridge & West Devon has launched the brand new Hoppa Bus, which will, for �5 single or �10 return take people from Holsworthy, via Torrington to Barnstaple s North Devon Hospital. It will run twice a day. The MP said the chairman

GEOFFREY Cox, MP for Torridge & West Devon has launched the brand new Hoppa Bus, which will, for �5 single or �10 return take people from Holsworthy, via Torrington to Barnstaple's North Devon Hospital. It will run twice a day.

The MP said the chairman and trustees of the North Tamar Community Transport Association had worked tirelessly to get the scheme up and running in order to fill the gap for those who either need to get to hospital for an appointment, or those who are simply visiting friends or family in hospital.

The MP inspected the new bus and chatted to some of the new drivers who are being trained to drive and operate it.

The Hoppa Bus will run twice daily return services, first stopping in Holsworthy town, then at Holsworthy Hospital where it will go on to Torrington and finally to North Devon Hospital.

The chairman of NTCTA, David Perkin and the Mayor of Holsworthy, Elizabeth Squire, were present and made short speeches, during which they emphasised the importance of the bus being owned by the community and that the service would only succeed if the public use it to its full potential.

Geoffrey Cox said: "I am delighted to launch the new Hoppa Bus. It is a service that is very much needed in our rural areas. I receive many letters from constituents who have difficulty getting to hospital appointments and simply cannot afford a taxi there and back, so the Hoppa bus is an answer to their prayers. "

He continued "I would like to congratulate all those involved in setting up the service; they have all worked very hard, and without the volunteers and staff of the Community Transport Association a great many people would be extremely isolated".