Farnham residents who have difficulty accessing local transport are set to benefit from a £10,000 grant, which has been awarded by Farnham Town Council to Hoppa Community Transport.

Hoppa currently has two buses providing a dial-a-ride service in Farnham. One bus runs Monday to Friday but due to a funding shortage, it has only been possible to run the second bus on a Thursday and Friday. The £10,000 community grant will allow Hoppa to expand the service so that each bus can operate in Farnham for five days a week.

The demand responsive service aims to provide affordable, wheelchair and pushchair accessible, door-to-door transport services for people who cannot ordinarily access public transport.

Mayor of Farnham, Councillor Jeremy Ricketts says: “I am very pleased that we have been able to provide Hoppa with a grant. The money will allow some of our more vulnerable residents to access affordable travel so they can get to appointments, the shops and other leisure activities. The current service is in great demand and without it there is a risk people would become socially isolated or find themselves in a situation where they have no choice but to use more expensive modes of transport.”

Steve Forward, Hoppa’s General Manager says: “We have seen a noticeable increase in demand for a dial-a-ride style of transport in Farnham. We are delighted that Farnham Town Council has the confidence in Hoppa to meet this demand. As well as the new service helping more residents, we are confident that the local economy will also benefit from more people being able to shop locally.”

To make use of the service, people need to register their details at Hoppa or pick up a form from Farnham Town Council’s offices. Fares cost £2 for an adult single or £3.50 for an adult return. Valid bus passes are accepted after 9.30am.