Dales Bus seeks volunteers

The social enterprise which manages the network of weekend DalesBus services in the Yorkshire Dales is seeking additional volunteers to help continue and develop its activities.

Dales and Bowland Community Interest Company (D&BCIC) is owned by charity Friends of the Dales, and helps provide and promote public transport into and around the Yorkshire Dales National Park and Nidderdale National Landscape.

“Over 56,000 journeys were made on our DalesBus services last year, an increase of 5%, and we urgently need more help to continue to grow this number in future years” – Kevin Armstrong, Deputy Chair of the company

Kevin Armstrong, Deputy Chair of the company, said: “The public are showing that they need our services more than ever and we urgently need more help to rise to the challenge of maintaining and developing our services. If we can help ensure that more bus services into and around the Dales are well run and marketed, we can connect more people to communities and the countryside without the use of a car. By doing this, we can do more to reduce social isolation, encourage healthy exercise, relieve congestion, reduce pollution and support the local economy, expanding markets for local businesses. Over 56,000 journeys were made on our DalesBus services last year, an increase of 5%, and we urgently need more help to continue to grow this number in future years.”

The company is particularly keen to find people at all levels with interest/knowledge/skills/ideas in:

• Marketing bus and train services – including tasks such as developing and implementing a marketing strategy, designing online and printed materials and managing social media
• Recruiting, managing and supporting volunteers
• Engaging with local communities to raise awareness of DalesBus
• Generating and implementing new ideas to increase DalesBus’ positive impact
• Leadership, strategy and governance of organisations

Anyone who might be interested in joining the DalesBus team is asked to email [email protected] as soon as possible, providing information about their interest/knowledge/skills/ideas and the time they might be able to contribute.