The Whitianga Community Bus Service has closed its operations driving people to and from hospital and medical appointments after 17 years of service.
This service was initiated and funds raised out of the very practical need to drive people needing to undergo medical treatment to their scheduled appointments when they could not drive themselves to the hospital and back.
They were a priority service at the time and they would provide two drivers and adjust their schedule according to the times set down for the patient. Hate Hone St John began a similar service in later years as did Whitianga Community Social Services. The community Bus service continued its customised service but it became more difficult to fulfil all the new regulations required and too much legal work and red tape was required to fulfil operational viability.
As a service, it was time to close and dispose of the assets.
Whitianga Community Services Trust, doing similar work, is very grateful for the good will of the Community Bus Service and the injection of the organisation’s bank balance which is around $17,000. This is in addition to their vehicle which is in very good condition and will be used well with the work of the Trust.
“I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank the huge number of people who have helped the Community Bus flourish in the 17 years of operation. Very sadly, the bureaucratic state of running voluntary organisations has made it untenable for us to continue, right at a time when we are needed more than ever.
Thank you for all your support.
(See official letter in Letters to the Editor p.18)
