Tor-Bus - Community Update
October 2010
The pilot scheme finsihed at the end of the summer holidays. If funds are available to re-establish it, notification will be provided within the town and details will be posted on this website.
June 2010
This scheme is still operating in Blaenavon and will continue to run through the summer months. Vouchers can be obtained from Blaenavon Library.
31 December 2009
This scheme is still operating in Blaenavon and being used by a core of youngsters from the area.
31 May 2009
This scheme is still operating and has a core of regular users from young people within the town.
30 November 2008
The Tor-Bus pilot is still operating in Blaenavon and there is a core of Blaenavon young people who make use of the scheme.
30 April 2008
The Tor-Bus pilot has begun in Blaenavon and vouchers are available for those aged between 11 and 16 from the Doorway or the Library. The scheme will continue until funding ceases.
29 February 2008
We advised the Town Council that the Authority intends to transfer the Tor-Bus pilot to Blaenavon. Tor-Bus is a free transport pilot for young people aged between 11 and 16 that allows them to access any part of the borough including leisure facilities and shopping areas.
Tor-Bus operates as a voucher system where a young person obtains a voucher from the Communities First workers and hands this to the bus driver to travel anywhere within the Borough. The bus company (stagecoach) invoice the Council and only journeys actually made are charged. Young people have the flexibility of using local bus services and can travel on all routes at any time of day and can travel with friends who may not be using the voucher scheme.
So, it is being proposed that the Tor-Bus pilot, using the same voucher system, be moved to Blaenavon. This will enable young people aged between 11 and 16 to have free bus travel between Blaenavon, Pontypool and Cwmbran. Discussions continue on the best means of distributing the vouchers and suggestions have been made that these could be distributed through the library in Blaenavon, which is open during the day.
The current funding will support over 2,000 return journeys to Pontypool or Cwmbran. As this was introduced as a pilot, it will come to a natural end when the funding runs out unless further funding can be found.