A COMMUNITY collective which formed to pick up the pieces when Witney lost two vital bus services has marked its upcoming first anniversary.

West Oxfordshire Transport Ltd began life in February 2017 after two bus services linking the town’s estates to the centre stopped running.

Now, one year on, the company has grown from one bus to four, and is set to launch another service next month.

West Oxfordshire district councillor for Witney and one of the founding members of the collective, Andrew Coles, said he was thrilled to be marking the special anniversary.

He said: “What we’ve been able to achieve is fantastic.

“Everyone has worked incredibly hard.

“The community bus has made a real difference to those who would otherwise be left isolated and reliant on others.”

Mr Coles noted, however, that there was still much work to be done in the area.

He said: “Sadly there are still some communities in West Oxfordshire without a bus service, I very much hope we’ll be able to offer them something in the future.”

The 214 and 215 services were launched at the beginning of February when Witney Community Transport Ltd took over Go Ride's contract.

Later the group launched a 213 service.

These routes were known as W1, W1A, W2 and W3 when operated by Go Ride.

When Oxfordshire County council withdrew subsidies for the services in the summer of 2016, Go Ride announced it would stop running them at the end of January 2017.

Many who depended on the routes were fearful they would be lost forever.

Though used by people from all walks of life, the buses are particularly useful for ensuring elderly and vulnerable from the estates can travel into the centre of town.

The group received support from Witney Town Council, West Oxfordshire District Council, Oxfordshire County Council and Cottsway Housing association, which allowed the group to purchase its first bus.

As a not-for-profit company, it receives a full rebate on fares when passengers use a bus pass.

The group is currently in the process of acquiring its fourth vehicle.

From February 12 a new 210 service will be operated from Witney to Chipping Norton via Leafield, Ascott, Shipton and Milton-under-Wychwood.

The bus will also serve Range Road Industrial estate in Witney and the Deer Park estate along with Sainsbury’s supermarket.

Mr Coles said: “Leafield and the Wychwoods have been without a bus service for quite a while.”

Additional part-time bus drivers are sought for the new service starting next month.

The company is also a living wage employer, officially accredited by the Living Wage Foundation.

An anniversary event was held in the Corn Exchange, in Market Square, Witney, last night.

For more information about the group or to get in touch see woct.org.uk or search on Facebook.