THE Bathurst radiation bus is a wonderful community example of something good coming from something bad.
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The bus, an initiative of Bathurst Community Transport, travels between Bathurst and Orange and back five days a week, 51 weeks of the year to take local people to their cancer treatment.
It has racked up well over 150,000 kilometres and taken around 300 people to treatment since the service began in October 2012.
But it’s more than just a mode of transport.
People who have used the service describe the incredible camaraderie that exists among the passengers as they travel to and from Orange.
They tell how valuable it is to have the chance to share what can be a daunting journey with others going through exactly the same as themselves.
And most amazing of all is the fact that a journey on the bus, coming at would otherwise be a terrifying time in their lives, is actually an enjoyable experience – rowdy, boisterous and joyful.
So any threat to the ongoing operation of the radiation bus is sure to concern the people of Bathurst and, hopefully, rally them (again) to keep it going.
The latest concern is a change in NSW Government legislation that could result in passengers using the service being slugged more heavily for the privilege.
Currently patients pay a subsidised rate of just $5 for the trip to Orange and back and the affordability of the service is just another attraction.
But the legislation changes could see Bathurst Community Transport facing a shortfall of $7000 to keep the bus on the road – and that money has to come from somewhere.
Ideally, we’d like to see the community chip in cover the shortfall but – as BCT executive officer Leonie Schumacher readily concedes – there are many good causes in our community and nobody ever wants to ask for more.
The other option is for the state to recognise the value of this service (and recognise the fact these services have not been made available in Bathurst) and cover the shortfall it has created.
There is too much good going on inside the radiation bus for it to be lost to our community.
Something must be done.