Welcome aboard: Jim Billings volunteers his time to drive the community bus.
Avenel Active is encouraging more residents to use its weekly community bus service to Seymour.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
The volunteer-operated Get Me to the Shops! community bus runs every Thursday morning, taking passengers from Avenel to the Seymour shopping centre.
Volunteer driver Jim Billings said the bus was a door-to-door service.
“We collect our passengers from their homes, help them with shopping in Seymour if needed, and drop everyone off back to their homes,” Mr Billings said.
Volunteers are also available each week to help passengers with getting on and off the bus and any other assistance needed in Seymour.
Some passengers also use the service to attend medical appointments, go for a swim, or to catch up with friends.
“We meet up at a coffee shop in Seymour each week before returning to Avenel,” Mr Billings said.
‘“So it’s a great opportunity to catch up with your neighbours, as well as get to the shops.”
The Get Me to the Shops! community bus is supported in 2023-24 by the Australian Government’s Volunteer Grants program.
Avenel Active secretary Helen Gwilliam said the group was grateful for the support it received for the program in recent years.
“We’ve had great support from Seymour Coaches and Strathbogie Shire Council, and now from the Australian Government,” she said.
“There are very few train services each day from Avenel and no public bus services at all.
“’Get Me to the Shops!’ offers a much-needed service for non-drivers and those who may need assistance with shopping to get to Seymour each week.”
The community bus runs every Thursday morning, picking up residents from their homes in Avenel at around 9.15am and returning at around 11.30am.
The service is open to all Avenel residents, of all ages. The return trip from Avenel to Seymour costs $5.
Service with a smile: Jim Billings will wait for passengers to do their shopping or recreation, before the group meets at a coffee shop and heads back to Avenel.
Photo by
Kristin Favaloro
23°C