On 31st August 2022 Willow Tree Housing Partnership representatives, Paul Raeburn and Debbie Johnson joined residents of Stafford Court and the surrounding community for a cream tea. The CEO of Totnes and Rural Community Transport also attended the event and was presented with a cheque for £250.00 from WTHP. This was a donation from our Community Fund, to support the Bob the Bus project.
The Totnes community bus was piloted in 1997, after a visitor to the area complained that the main shopping street was not easily accessibility due to it steep gradient. A town Councillor liaised with a local coach company and in agreement with Town and District Councils the project was funded for one year. Due to its success, it was decided that grant funding would be available to ensure its future; on the condition that the business community offered equal funding.
As a result of the pilot and its success; a more permanent service was setup in 2000 by a community group and was overseen by Group Co-ordinator Bob Vaughan. Mr Vaughan put in a lot of hard work and hours, alongside outside agencies in order to purchase a new bus. To honour Mr Vaughan, the bright yellow bus was named Bob and has since become an important feature of the Totnes community.
The Bob the Bus service is highly thought of locally and is a lifeline to many of our residents. Bob the Bus stops right outside our Stafford Court Scheme, a scheme of 20 homes for the over 55’s. The bus also serves Higher Westonfields, Bridgewater Gardens, and Mansbridge Road where WTHP have in total over 70 homes.
Bob the bus can be hailed anywhere in Totnes and is available to non-residents of Totnes, that may be visiting the area. The success of Bob the Bus relies on the 38 volunteer drivers that support the service and the project is open to further volunteers joining their team.
When speaking with residents at Stafford Court and with other local residents, it’s abundantly clear how important Bob the Bus is to the Totnes Community. One resident spoke about how during the pandemic; the bus was on duty to take members of the community for their Covid vaccination and was a reliable service, even through such uncertain times. Recently, residents have received news that the Express Gold Service will be re-routing and will no longer stop along Higher Westonfields; thus making Bob the Bus an even more important, valuable and highly regarded asset.
