The Radiation Bus transports up to 11 patients from Bathurst to Orange Base Hospital nine days a fortnight, enabling them to undergo treatment for cancer.

Those using the service pay a $5 contribution fee, which in the last financial year amounted to just over $7,000 in funds used to keep the service going.

However, the change in legislation has seen all Community Transport Organisations in NSW being placed under the Passenger Transport Act, and with that Bathurst Community Transport is expected to pay a levy of $2.20 including GST from the $5 contribution people are paying to access the service.

Along with paying the levy, Bathurst Community Transport would also have to make detailed reports on all trips, something the largely volunteer organisation simply doesn’t have the resources to do.

Executive officer with Bathurst Community Transport, Leonie Schumacher, said the service has no other option but run the service free, and somehow absorb a loss of around $7,000 per financial year, while keeping the service running.

She said the prospect of the service losing $7,000 wasn’t great.

“I have decided to ask passengers at the end of their treatment to make a donation towards the service if they would like to do so. We can’t ask for a daily donation as this is considered a fare and not worth reporting on $2.20 and only gaining $2,80, the administration is just far too great for us.”

She said losing $7,000 will leave a hole but added she felt confident with the continued support of the community and funds set aside for hard times, the service would be sustainable.

“But the community might need to be mindful if the service needs help [to continue operating] to please step up,” she said.

Ms Schumacher said the community has already shown incredible generosity to the service including $15,000 a year from Reliance Bank, $5,000 from the University of Western Sydney’s School of Medicine plus donations from clubs, grants, individuals and charitable groups which keep the service going.

“If it wasn’t for the generosity of the community, and the volunteers the service just wouldn’t happen.”

She said all community groups are doing it tough, but it was vitally important the service kept going.

“It’s essential. It gives people undergoing radiation independence, they’re not relying or even pleading for help to get them to their treatment.

“It takes the pressure off family and friends.”

She said the service is also much more then just transport.

“It begins a support network, they form friendships with people who are going through the same thing.”

“In the midst of something horrible users of the bus have a positive experience.”