ELDERLY people living in remote areas of Exmoor and West Somerset, without a car or not on a bus route, and still fearful of leaving their homes because of Covid, are being urged to take advantage of a service of sanitised minibuses which arrive at their doorstep and give them a stress-free day out.

The Minehead-based community charity Accessible Transport West Somerset - ATWEST - which has been running Slinky minibuses for the elderly and the isolated since 2006, reported this week that some former customers are still reluctant to venture out, even though the service is often their only link with the outside world.

“We do everything to keep passengers safe,” said ATWEST spokesperson Barbara Middleton. “We know that the Slinky bus changes people’s lives and can be a real link with the world outside someone’s home.

“A lot of people in remote areas hardly see anyone until we knock on the door to take them shopping, on a day-trip or to medical appointments, or just a cup of coffee with friends.

“Often it’s down a maze of lanes just to pick up one person. No ordinary bus service can afford to do that. It’s essential that people get out and about. There’s a lovely atmosphere on the buses, and banter with the drivers. It’s often as though they going on holiday.”

Barbara added: “All you have to do is to pick up the phone and we’ll send you a registration form or you can do it online, if possible giving at least 24 hours’ notice. Book your journey and off you go.

“Ring 01643 707090 between 9.30 am and 4pm to book the Slinky Bus which will pick you up from your doorstep. If you have a bus pass, you can get a reduced fare too. Single fares vary from £1.30 to £1.80. Returns are from £2.00 to £2.50.”

Slinky is an accessible bus service funded by Somerset County Council for people unable to access conventional transport and runs five days a week, Monday to Friday from 9.30 am till 4.00 pm. It’s run by ATWEST on behalf of Transporting Somerset.

Latest figures show that West Somerset has the highest rate of elderly people in the UK and over 20 per cent of rural pensioners live alone in areas no longer serviced by commercial buses.

“It’s hard to realise just how solitary life can be for an old person in some remote part of Exmoor,” Barbara Middleton said. “I remember one old lady saying to us: ‘Life goes on and because of the Slinky Bus, we’re still part of it.’ You can’t sum it up better than that.”