Four decades ago, a small group of community workers and residents formed the Bathurst Community Transport Group.
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Little did they know that their plans to provide transport for people living in isolation and need, would become one of the most loved and significant social movements in NSW.
Now, there is a community transport service in every local government area across the state, picking passengers up from their home, taking them to where they would like to go, need to go or dream to go, including every day needs and essential appointments - and it all started in Bathurst.
To commemorate this milestone, Bathurst Community Transport Group held an anniversary celebration at the Bathurst RSL.
Bathurst Community Transport Group’s retiring CEO, Leonie Schumacher said the Bathurst community approached the Premier and received and initial grant in 1978 from the then Department of Youth and Community Services.
“The service quickly expanded, establishing a series of bus services linking outlying villages with Bathurst, operating on a weekly basis, covering over 600 kilometres.
“The services grew to be very popular, and after few years the services were recovering 80 per cent of their costs.” Ms. Schumacher said.
The success of “The Bathurst Experiment” opened the way for further funding and in 1982 another five schemes were funded, and another eight the following year.
As time went on, funding slowly increased and became known as the NSW Community Transport Program.
“In my 18 years with community transport I have seen the organisation grow into a community driven service, where passengers benefit by increased accessibility, volunteers benefit by helping out others, and other service providers benefit by keeping people healthy, social and happy.” she said.
The Community Transport Organisation (CTO) is the peak body for services in NSW and ACT, they advocate for their members, providing support and advice.
Community Transport Organisation, CEO, Dianne Hallett congratulated Bathurst Community Transport Group, along with all community transport services, for their hard work.
