The Happy Bus launch in Llandrindod Wells

CTA were invited to attend the new bus launch by Llanwrtyd Wells Community Transport at PAVO in Llandrindod Wells, Mid Wales just before Christmas. 

LWCT had begun their pilot shopping service two years previously with a bus hired from PAVO. Initially there was very little uptake but slowly the community responded and before long the bus was operating twice a week to the local supermarkets – in no small part down to the work of Lynne and Janine – the driver and passenger assistant who are well loved by the passengers who use the service. 

As the service was now firmly embedded in the community LWCT applied to the National Lottery for funding so they could buy their own bus. When the passengers heard that they may be getting a new vehicle they asked if they could contribute to the design of it. Laura, General Manager at LWCT decided they would try for funding for a Mercedes Sprinter – although very expensive compared to other makes- she felt the bus was more comfortable for passengers – a good internal height, wide aisle to enable them to walk, underfloor lift so there was more space at the back of the bus. The passengers requested two handles on the steps to access the bus more easily; the manufacturer also added 5 small buttons on the handle so someone would know how many steps they’d climbed just by touch. They requested a luggage rack for small bags and luggage and also air-conditioning to enable them to continue to travel in extreme heat. 

The bus finally arrived two weeks ago. Now there are 50 registered members for this shopping service not everyone can travel every week so the community have decided to begin fundraising for a second bus. The Happy Bus is completely community led. The passengers decide where they go in it (within reason!) and in 2026 the shopping service will increase to 3 days a week to meet demand and the bus will also be used for day and evening trips. 

At the launch event I sat with Janine – the passenger assistant on the shopping service. She told me how she came to be working with LWCT. Following major health scares 5 years ago she applied to LWCT to be a car driver, and as she grew stronger, she moved onto the shopping bus with Lynne.  She credits LWCT and community transport with restoring her self-confidence, so much so that she decided to turn her pottery hobby into a small business which she does alongside her work at LWCT. She is also training for her D1 licence, funded by LWCT and hopes to be driving the bus in February! 

Richard Adamson at GM Coachwork (one of our Commercial Affiliates), who supported The Happy Bus team with their new minibus build, shared this with us:

“It was an absolute joy to see the faces of the customers and staff when they saw the bus for the first time… There were even tears from a couple of people. It really showed how much a vehicle like this can mean to a community.”

A powerful reminder of what Community Transport makes possible. 

We’re always keen to share brilliant Community Transport stories from across the UK. If you’ve been involved in a project you’d like to spotlight, email us at comms@ctauk.org