PLEASE HELP US MAINTAIN A SYSTEM THAT HAS WORKED WELL FOR 10 YEARS

Ten years on from when the 'Friends' were first formed the buses are still running and, at the moment, things are looking more sustainable than previously. That is in part due to positive attitudes from the local Council and the Government, but also a tribute to the work of Blueworks, the bus operator, the team of very committed drivers and the wonderful support of the local community, local Parish Councils and many funding organisations who have helped us over the years.

      The 'Friends of the X112' group are very proud of the part that we have played in helping co-ordinate everything and even prouder of the fact that, despite many sceptics in 2014, we have managed to keep going for such a long time.

      However we do have a major problem. When we first started out we had many more committee members all of whom were actively involved in raising funds and raising awareness of the bus services and the need to keep them running. Over the years those numbers have gradually decreased so that the burden of running the group has fallen on less and less people.

      Now age and health issues amongst those who are remaining has led us to make the decision that next year, almost certainly from September, we are going to have to make changes. The nature of those is not determined as yet but the worst scenario is that we have to walk away from everything and the Friends charity would cease to exist. None of us want that to happen. What has evolved over the years is a unique situation where the local community, supported by our Charity, work alongside a small local commercial bus company who employ local drivers who have totally embraced the idea of a Community Bus service. We also have a Council who are committed to improving bus services in general in rural areas and that was not always the case.

     Therefore we are making an appeal for more people to join us and help out. In an ideal world we would have, as we did to begin with, one representative from each Parish helping but what is important that we get help from wherever it comes.

     As a result of the situation we find ourselves in we are holding

an open meeting on Jan. 16th at the Old Farmhouse Inn in Ulverston at 7pm to discuss our future and how other people can help.

    Alternatively if you cannot get to the meeting but want to know more please contact Roger Harris on 01229835712 or 07401136229.

    PLEASE HELP US MAINTAIN A SYSTEM THAT HAS WORKED WELL FOR 10 YEARS.

PEOPLE NEED A RELIABLE BUS SERVICE, PROBABLY MORE IMPORTANT  NOW THAN EVER GIVEN THE STATE OF CONGESTION IN SO MANY PLACES.