Communities in Moray are making plans to use a minibus won in a Press and Journal competition to ease an eight-mile trip for doctor appointments that takes hours on public transport.
Volunteers in Hopeman won the coveted Ford Transit nearly five years ago with the aim of creating more opportunities for young and old.
The closure of medical practices in the village and nearby Burghead at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic forced patients to travel to Lossiemouth for appointments.
However, the lack of a direct bus link to span the eight miles from Burghead to Lossiemouth means those unable to drive have to go to Elgin initially for a connecting service – resulting in a four-vehicle and four-hour return trip.
Fears have been raised that the daunting journey may also put off those needing medical attention from getting help.
Now campaigners are aiming to use the minibus won from the P&J to fill the gap left by public transport firms.
Jim Patterson, a member of Burghead and Cummingston Community Council, said: “There’s no buses running along the coast now, we’re very short of public transport.
“The medical practices closed at the beginning of lockdown and we don’t really know when they might come back.
“We looked at whether patients would be able to register in Elgin, because it’s more practical for people to get to on the bus, but it’s not possible.
“We’ve had a chat with Hopeman and we’ve agreed to share the running costs and we want to build up some kind of structure with it.”
The coastal villages hope to create a community transport link between the villages for club outings, after school activities and visits to local attractions as well as medical appointments.
Campaigners have linked up with support groups TSI Moray and Outside the Box to examine how schemes used elsewhere in the UK could be replicated with talks due to take place later this month.
Meanwhile, the possibility of the vehicle being used by visiting tourists to explore the coast and access businesses is also being examined.
Liz McKnockiter, from Burghead, has been forced to us what bus connections are left in the area and believes they could have an effect on the wellbeing of locals.
She said: “To get from Burghead to Lossiemouth, I had to take a bus from the coast to Elgin, then wait for another bus back up to the coast to Lossiemouth.
“It took about four hours. If you’re feeling ill, it’s very tiring. I am sure some people are not going to their GP when they need to.”
Talks will be held on Tuesday, July 21, to form a group to run the minibus. Anyone interested in helping should contact Gill Bird from TSI Moray by e-mailing gill@tsimoray.org.uk or by calling 07935 755234.