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Medway’s Rural Initiative for Transport (MERIT) was aimed at improving public transport in the countryside.
More than £400,000 was provided by the Department for Transport to pay for a dedicated rural transport officer and the MERIT project until the summer of 2007.
What did MERIT set out to achieve?
The main aim of the project was to develop a community transport scheme for rural Medway. With its own vehicles and a pool of volunteer drivers, this would provide a range of new bus services. These included new daytime, evening or weekend services into the centre of Medway, excursions to places like Canterbury or Bluewater and minibus hire for local groups.
MERIT also hoped to make improvements to the public transport currently available. This included better promotion of existing services or even upgrades of the bus shelters in Medway’s villages.
What has MERIT done so far?
- Built interest in community transport in the villages by running several one-off excursions to shopping centres and Canterbury.
- Funded a new, low-floor, easy-access bus on the 197 Gillingham – Lower Stoke route.
- Installed seventeen public transport info stations across rural Medway to improve residents’ access to bus timetables and other relevant transport information.
How can people get involved?
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The success of MERIT has depended on the project being supported by local people. The council wants to work with residents, parish councils and other organisations to provide useful and needed improvements to public transport in rural Medway. - Do you live in one of the villages and have difficulties getting to work, school or leisure venues?
- Do you have any suggestions as to the best way to improve public transport in rural Medway?
- Do you have a few hours to spare each week to help make a real difference in your community? Medway Council is looking for committed and friendly volunteers who might be interested in driving a community minibus.
If you can answer yes to any of the above questions, please get in touch using the details below.
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