Following the news last week that rural bus services were at a ‘historic low’, a not-for-profit community interest company has been showcasing how it is keeping rural communities connected.

ABILITY Community Transport was set up in 2018 with the primary goal of reducing social isolation and loneliness. Directors Lynn and Nigel Hinch had uncovered a need to connect isolated rural areas which had limited transport options following years of spending cuts. It took six months to get the project up and running, starting on 2 January 2019 with one mini bus.  Within a few days, they received a call from a local Parish Council to say their bus service had been cancelled.  Lynn says it was good to take action right away: “We had spent six months in planning and knew where we were going and what needed to be done, so were able to start the service for Hackleton the very next day”.

Since then, ABILITY has expanded and now has hundreds of members across South Northamptonshire and North Oxfordshire.  Buses take people direct to the door of the supermarket, group meet ups such as Chatty Café Scheme, local groups such as Carers Lunches, Veterans coffee mornings, libraries and into the town centres. Ability has also supported the Ukraine families who have settled in the rural areas of the counties providing accessible transport.

The bus service is available 5 days a week across the rural communities of West Northamptonshire and North Oxfordshire providing a weekly bus service to Daventry, Towcester, Brackley, Banbury and Northampton.

Chief Executive of the RSN, Kerry Booth, welcomes the scheme but says it is sad that groups like this must step in: “I would like to congratulate Lynn and Nigel Hinch for stepping in and providing a vital lifeline for so many.  Sadly, the story of Hackleton is echoed across the country, with many vulnerable people being left stranded overnight.  Imagine if one day one of the tube lines just closed down.  People living and working in London would be in chaos but they have alternatives.  Why should our rural communities be treated so differently with no other options available to them?”

Find out more about the story behind ABILITY and the services they offer here