A NEW volunteer-run transport service will help Wimmera people access medical appointments and other meetings.
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The Wimmera Southern Mallee Community Transport Service launched on Friday.
People in Kaniva, Nhill, Dimboola and Pimpinio without licences will be able to use the service to travel to Horsham.
A volunteer driver will pick up residents at their homes in the morning and drop them off at designated locations, including Wimmera Base Hospital and the city centre.
The driver will then collect passengers from the same locations in the afternoon before taking them home.
Victorian Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan announced the start of the service – a two-year pilot program – last week.
The state government has committed $125,000 to the program, which it developed with Horsham’s Centre for Participation.
Centre chief executive Julie Pettett said services would start between Kaniva and Horsham, and the centre hoped to introduce routes between Edenhope and Horsham.
She said the project was four years in the making.
“This community transport campaign is the outcome of persistent focus from community leaders and great support from Minister Allan,” she said.
“The pilot is a recognition of the transport disadvantage faced by rural and remote communities and is a welcomed, much-needed community transport service allowing for volunteers in the region to do what they do well – assist those who need support.”
Ms Pettett said people could call the centre on 5382 5607 to register as a driver or to request access to the service.
Ms Allan said she hoped the program could help people doing it tough.
