5:00pm Friday 12th March 2010
By James Tourgout
VILLAGERS are hitching a ride on new taxi services to take them into Dorchester on market days.
The initiative has been launched to help plug the gap left by axed bus routes in West Dorset.
A new Tincleton taxi is hitting the road to take villagers to market on Wednesdays.
Dorset County Council, with funding from West Dorset District Council, has set up the link after the need for transport was pinpointed by the West Dorset Partnership.
Partnership chairman David Webb said: “We are delighted to have been able to make this service available with support from partners.
“It is helping to implement our community plan and improve access to services in rural areas.”
The West Dorset Partnership is a group of voluntary, community, public and private sector organisations that aims to improve quality of life in the district.
The Tincleton shared taxi scheme will provide a weekly service to Dorchester from the villages of Stinsford, Bockhampton, Tincleton and Waddock Cross from March 17 onwards. It is the first time villagers will have regular transport to the market since the bus service stopped over 10 years ago. The taxi will leave Bob’s Cars in Trinity Street in Dorchester on a circular route at 9.15am.
It will then leave Waddock Cross at 9.30am and travel along the road through Tincleton, picking up passengers in Higher and Lower Bock- hampton and Stinsford.
The taxi will arrive at Trinity Street in Dorchester by 10.15am. The return journey will leave Dorchester at 12.30pm. A fare of £1.50 will be charged each way – or £1 to and from Stinsford and Bockhampton.
West Dorset and Purbeck Concessionary fare passes will be accepted on the service and must be shown to the driver.
The service will operate on a trial basis for one year before a decision is made to continue or not.
The taxi must be booked in advance by phoning 0845 2410 117 at least an hour before the departure time.
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