Community bus service offers lifeline support in St Madoes

A lifeline community transport service has been launched in the Carse of Gowrie.

A steering group was formed last year to look at ways of helping older residents get to exercise classes and support groups at the Madoch Centre in St Madoes.

The service has since been expanded to offer assistance to patients affected by the imminent closure of the village’s GP surgery. Perth and Kinross Council (PKC) set aside £30,000 to support the launch of the new service. Funding was also secured to appoint a new community transport coordinator, Oli Gage-Walker.

The Madoch Community Transport service is free for residents, although donations towards fuel costs are welcome.

Mr Gage-Walker said: “We hope that this scheme will really help those who have been worried about how they would get to the medical practice, particularly older folks or those who might struggle to stand for a long time at a cold bus stop.”

More than 20 people have already volunteered to drive the bus. Others have pledged to come on board as assistants.

Community development co-ordinator Anthea Bircham said: “The response from the village has been amazing. We have a great group of volunteers.

“It just goes to show that people are concerned for the more vulnerable in their communities and want to support them.”

Local councillor Angus Forbes said: “With the significant changes to the GP service in the area, transport for patients is of high priority.”

Passengers can register at the village post office, chemist and surgery and call to book a lift on 01738 310412 or e-mail transport@madochcentre.com

From left: Moray Fraser, PKC public transport officer; Mark Lawson, volunteer driver; Elizabeth Coutts, 98, the first passenger to book a journey to the doctor; Oli GageWalker; Sheila Prain, volunteer assistant; Rhoda Henderson, transport planning group member; Anthea Bircham, Madoch Centre community development co-ordinator; Angus Forbes, councillor for Carse of Gowrie.