Buses in 'hiding' (From Penarth Times)

Buses in 'hiding'

A PENARTH charity has avoided closure - by putting its minibuses into 'hiding'.

The vehicles vital to the work of the East Vale Transport charity have been vandalised so often the group were considering having to close if a safer place to park was not found.

The service is unique in Penarth as it takes vulnerable members of society to and from their doors.

It was established in 1988 and provides a vital shuttle service for many otherwise housebound people.

Chairman and founder of the service, Margaret Read, said: "The minibuses are parked in a safer area now which is more secluded and not so open to the road."

One problem which still dogs East Vale is the need for more volunteer drivers.

Margaret said: "At the moment we have four but we need three or four more to cope.

We need them because not all the societies have their own drivers so we have to provide one."

The buses are specially designed to take wheelchairs and have a capacity of 15.

East Vale committee member and Chairman of the Vale Council, Harold Rees said: "We are very pleased to find another safer environment to store the mini-buses."

Both mini-buses need six month services because of the hydraulic wheelchair lift.

But the vandals put each vehicle out of action for a week at a time because the smashed windows are not standard and have to be specially fitted.

There is not an alternative for the users because the nearest door-to-door service is in Cardiff.