Ilminster shuttle bus gets rave reviews from councillor after launch

Cllr Linda Piggot-Vijeh, county councillor for Ilminster, got on the 10.15am bus from Ashill.

District councillors recently recommended refusal for a planning application in Ashill, with some citing the village as "unsustainable".

Ashill's lack of public transport was also considered a factor.

Following her successful debut voyage, Cllr Piggott-Vijeh said: "Given the amount of uproar when the Nippy Bus service was discontinued at the end of last year I was thrilled to discover that, as a result of pressure from local residents, SCC have stepped in with a limited bus service between the outlying villages, many of which I represent as a local councillor.

"Not one for missing out on local activity, I was determined to be the first passenger on the first service leaving Ashill at 10.15am this morning, with a meeting to attend in Ilminster to nicely tie in with my arrival.

"What a treat it was. The bus, spanking new and very user friendly for our less mobile residents, was on time with affable driver Tony at the wheel, who I felt sure must have been hand picked for his high level of customer service.

"The journey could not have been more pleasant, and with Tony agreeing to stop off close to resident's homes on the return journey, and his willingness to provide assistance, I can only feel that it will be a great success.

"There were few passengers on this inaugural run but Tony told me that he had been quite busy during the morning.

"I felt that is was well worth the £3.50 it would have cost me had Tony been given the code to work the ticket machine.

"One other little glitch was the lack of availability of timetables, which I am assured will be rectified by tomorrow.

"At a time when the future picture of the services provided by our local authorities is looking pretty dismal this is something to be celebrated.

"I do not travel by public transport a great deal, for many reasons, but I thoroughly enjoyed my little jaunt, being able to catch up gossip and finish reading my book.

"But, remember, we must use it or lose it."