The long-awaited Gillingham Community Shuttle Bus service is to start on Thursday 26 February.

The service will provide access to the town for the residents of Wyke, Peacemarsh and Milton-on-Stour, stopping at existing bus stops for residents to access facilities and services in the town centre or to just socialise in cafes.

It will operate every Thursday and organisers hope it could become a permanent fixture in the town – and are urging residents to make the most of it.

The start of the new services follows public consultation and a ‘drop-in’ event held in April last year. It has subsequently taken a few months to get the funding in order, which has now been received for a six-month pilot period.

A review will take place after five months as to the use of and demand for the new service. So, says one of the backers of the scheme Dorset councillor Belinda Ridout, it is a case of ‘use it or lose it’.

Residents who want to use the shuttle are now being urged to register with Dorset Community Transport, as they cannot cannot use the service without being registered. There is no charge to register.

Once the service is up and running, residents can simply just give them a call and book what will be a door-to-door service. National Bus Passes are not valid for travel on this new service, but the fare will be what organisers call a ‘very reasonable’ £2 per trip for adults, £1 for a child, with dogs going free. If the once-a -week pilot service goes well, it may be extended to other days.

To register, presidents can phone 01258 287 987 to request a simple form which will be posted out to them. Completed forms are to be returned to PlusBus, Dorset Community Transport, 25e Sunrise Business Park, Higher Shaftesbury Road, Blandford Forum, Dorset DT11 8ST.

A form can also be downloaded from the ECT website at https://ectcharity.co.uk/Dorset/register-for-plusbus-dorset and either returned to the above address or attach to an email and sent to dorset@ectcharity.co.uk.

Councillor Belinda Ridout, said: ‘Our thanks to The Three Rivers Partnership for their support of the scheme and for agreeing to hold the contract with Dorset Community Transport on our behalf, Dorset Council for the developer section 106 funding and the opportunity to apply for a Community Transport Grant and the many messages of support from local organisations, businesses and individuals.

‘The Gillingham Bus Group has been working on this initiative for some time now, recognising the difficulties some of our residents are having in accessing services and facilities within the town, without relying upon relatives and friends.’

She added: ‘We urge people to spread the word.’