Shildon Community Bus is now the proud owner of a new replacement minibus. We have purchased a Mercedes Sprinter 517CDi which is fully automatic and has a boot space for luggage and shopping. The total cost of the bus, before signage and insurance, was £98,700. This was met by generous donations from the public, our existing savings, the sale of the older of our two buses, and a grant of £69,090. This was provided by Durham County Council’s Capital Grant Funding for Community Transport Vehicle Purchases. We are very grateful for the support and guidance provided by Adam Robinson of Durham County Council. Adam handed over the new bus to us on Monday 15th September 2025.
The bus is fully automatic and our training officer will be scheduling familiarisation sessions with each of our volunteer drivers to ensure the safety of the public and the new bus. We always welcome applications for volunteer drivers and volunteer administrators. If you are involved with a social group in the area of Shildon and the surrounding towns and villages, why not ask for information to register as an affiliate group? You can then use the mini bus for social and educational outings. For further information please contact the bus office on 01388 773666 or email shildonbus@yahoo.com.
Once again, thank you to everyone who has made this purchase possible.