Ashtead has a new transport service, a community bus which runs one day a week.
It has been set up to help people who find using the regular bus services difficult and it could expand to operate more frequently if there is a demand.
The Ashtead community bus service operated by the East Surrey Rural Transport Partnership Organisation uses a 15-seater bus and picks up from three places in Ashtead; the top of Greville Park Road, the entrance to The Warren and Broadmead in The Marld and takes its passengers to The Street, Ashtead, the Swan Centre, Leatherhead, and Tesco in Leatherhead.
It is not a door-to-door service and people who need to be picked up from their own home should continue to use the Dial-A-Ride service. The Ashtead Good Neighbours service continues to operate for trips to hospital or to the doctor.
Passengers can take shopping trolleys and walking aids on the bus but cannot use their bus passes.
If there is a demand the bus will expand its services, operating on more days and picking up at different locations in Ashtead.
Anyone who wants to use the service must register first by calling 01883 732791.
Plans to operate a commuter bus to Ashtead Station to cut back on parking problems and traffic congestion near the station have been shelved because of lack of support.
Research showed that motorists travelled from as far afield as Dorking and Epsom Downs to park at the station or to find space on nearby streets without yellow lines.
Questionnaires were distributed to most households in Ashtead in the spring to assess the support for both commuter and community bus service.
The original plans were to use the bus for commuters morning and evening and for local transport during the day but it quickly became clear that the commuter service was not viable.
The community bus service was able to take to the roads because Buses4U based in Tandridge had a vehicle available.
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