With a new community transport service now in operation, Wollondilly Shire Council’s community bus has recently been decommissioned from service and is now seeking a new home, with Council preparing to donate the old bus to a community group.

Council is currently looking for expressions of interest (EOI) from local community groups interested in owning the Mitsubishi Rosa 21-seater vehicle.

The 15-year-old vehicle will be gifted to the successful group following a competitive EOI process, which is now open.

In January 2022 an annual service review of the community bus service was undertaken to better understand the changing needs of the community and usage of the community bus vehicle.

As a result of the service review, Council endorsed a change in the service structure, resulting in the need to retire the current vehicle.

Acting Mayor Matthew Deeth said, “Wollondilly Council has committed to continuing to provide a community transport service for our growing and changing community. We are now providing a new model that will directly fund third-party providers so community groups can use the service.”

“This updated model means that eligible Wollondilly based community groups can use suitable third-party transport services, with Council footing the bill up to the value of $500 per trip.”

“After 15 years of service, the old bus has been decommissioned and Council has decided that whatever life the bus still has in it should be put to good use.”

“I encourage any community groups who are interested in taking on ownership of the bus, and who think they have a good use for it, to submit an expression of interest now.”

The outcome of the EOI will be determined through the assessment of:

• the community group’s purpose and reach
• the intended usage of the vehicle
• the demonstrated need and ongoing benefit to the community

 Submissions must be made in line with the requirements set out in the EOI before 5pm Tuesday 2 May 2023. For more information on how to apply, head to Council’s website 

In the event no appropriate community groups apply through the expression of interest process, the bus will be sold, with the sale of the vehicle and distribution of funds to implement other community projects or infrastructure projects.