£25,000 grant helps keep Broughton and Mottisfont on the move
A charity providing vital community transport in Broughton, Mottisfont and surrounding villages is celebrating the arrival of a new electric bus, supported by a £25,000 grant from Test Valley Borough Council.
Broughton and Mottisfont Community Bus received the funding through the council’s Community Asset Fund to contribute towards the new vehicle. It replaces an ageing bus which had become increasingly unreliable and costly to maintain.
The entirely volunteer-run service helps local people travel to nearby towns for shopping, appointments and other everyday needs. It also helps people get out, meet others and stay connected in an area with limited alternative public transport.
The new electric bus will help secure the service for the future while reducing its environmental impact, supporting the community’s wider focus on sustainability.
The community bus has been running since 1982 and provided more than 2,500 passenger journeys last year.
The new bus was celebrated at a Community Transport Week event attended by local residents and representatives from Test Valley Borough Council, Hampshire County Council and MP Caroline Nokes. The event also highlighted new community electric vehicle charging facilities in the village.
Local ward councillors Alison Johnston and Stewart MacDonald also attended the event.
Cllr Alison Johnston said: “Reliable transport can make a huge difference to people living in our rural communities. It’s particularly exciting to see that this new bus is electric, helping residents stay connected while supporting the community’s ambitions for a more sustainable future.”
Cllr Stewart MacDonald added: ""The community bus is a lifeline for many people in Broughton, Mottisfont and the surrounding villages. This funding has helped the charity replace an ageing vehicle with a new electric bus, ensuring residents can continue accessing essential services, staying connected and remaining independent. It's a fantastic example of local organisations making a real difference to community life."
Andrew Illingworth, Hon Secretary of Broughton and Mottisfont Community Bus, said: “Our passengers rely on us to provide a service they can plan their lives around, so replacing our ageing bus was important. We’re extremely grateful for the support towards the new vehicle and to all our volunteers who keep the service running.”
Caroline Nokes, Member of Parliament for Romsey and Southampton North, commented: "The Broughton and Mottisfont Community Bus is a fantastic example of what local action can achieve, and it was wonderful to celebrate its new electric vehicle during Community Transport Week. Congratulations to everyone whose vision, determination and hard work have made this possible - I know it has not been an easy journey."
For more information about Broughton and Mottisfont Community Bus, email thevillagebus@outlook.com or visit the Village Bus website.