A COMMUNITY bus link that was started as a response to travel services in Upper Wensleydale has grown into a saviour of Dales transport – serving upper and lower sections of two Dales.

The Little White Bus originated as a volunteer-run circular service taking passengers to Hawes and Garsdale in 2011, but has now won a contract to become the only bus operator for Wensleydale and Swaledale.

The service is operated by the Upper Wensleydale Community Partnership and is still run largely by volunteers lead by local councillor John Blackie – who said North Yorkshire County Council stands to save about £50,000 using the service, rather than three different companies.

Cllr Blackie said: "I am very proud that the Little White Bus service, that started with me as the only volunteer driver on the roster, with a well-used second hand North Yorkshire County Council minibus.

“Our determination to keep open the vital lifeline from the deeply rural Upper Dales communities to the outside world via the Settle-Carlisle railway line has led on to all this.

"We have seven vehicles, including three new buses with destination indicators and power sliding doors; four scheduled routes working six or seven days a week around the year; and a very popular demand responsive service.

“We employ four part-time drivers, a part-time manager, and we use a team of 28 volunteers, with nine more waiting to be trained."

Cllr Blackie added: "Little White Bus has brought a new dimension to the mobility and independence of those living in our Upper Dales communities – some residents would be left completely isolated and reliant on friends and relatives to help them get about.”

A new timetable has been drawn up to amend difficulties in onward travel connections from Upper Wensleydale to Leyburn.

There are now daily connections in Leyburn for travel to Richmond, Darlington, Bedale, Northallerton and Ripon.

The Swaledale service will start from April 13 and will run from Good Friday until late October, taking passengers between Keld and Richmond twice a day, and Reeth and Richmond four times a day.

The service will also take passengers on to Catterick Garrison Tesco, and will continue to operate early morning and evening services between Keld and Reeth.

A consultation will take place on the new services in Wensleydale, closing on Monday, February 23, ahead of it being rolled out on May 11.

For information visit www.northyorks.gov.uk/busconsultation.