Standing Room Only

We’d like to say a huge “Thank You” to everyone who made our first day on the Daffodil Line so much fun, and to everyone who has worked so hard to make this happen. Support from all the communities along the line was outstanding, And when the 10.55 left Newent for Ross we were standing room only.

Here are some highlights from the day and the build-up.

On Thursday we got a new bus stop for Newent. The 232 leaves town the same way it arrives, so we needed somewhere to turn the bus. We’ve found a nice little spot in the lake car park, very handy for the loos!

On Friday it finally stopped raining for long enough for us to get the bus dressed up in her nice new Daffodil Line logos.

Saturday was graffiti day! With local young people decorating the new bus stop in Newent and the surrounding walls and pavements with daffodils, to help highlight the new stop. thanks to Highways and Steve Gooch Estate Agents for giving us permission to paint – it was great fun.

We were all busy first thing Sunday morning putting up bunting and balloons at stops up and down the line.

And we’re off! the very first Daffodil Line bus leaving Ledbury station, where our very first passenger was Janette from Tarrington.

It’s not a party without cake! Passengers were greeted on board with free daffodil Line bags, timetables, and specially made cakes kindly supplied and distributed by Rebecca.

There’s no denying Ledbury has the prettiest bus stop, and here we were given a splendid send-off by mayor Philip Howells.

The queue was growing amongst the daffodils in Newent.

Driver Andy kept us moving through a hectic day.

He must have wondered how he was going to fit all these people on when he pulled up in Newent.

But we managed it, standing room only. And the mayor of Newent (and buses4Us Treasurer) Christine Howley didn’t just wave us off, she came along for the ride. Very fitting that Morgan (the little white dog waiting to board) was our first canine passenger. Morgan is an honorary director of Buses4Us and was very happy to let owner Tim, our Secretary, pay his £1 fare.

Even us humans only have to pay £3 for a return to anywhere on a Sunday – bargain! And bus passes are accepted all day of course.

Andy may have thought he’d lost his job when Ross-on-Wye mayor Ed O’Driscol came dressed in his bus driver’s outfit!

On the way back to Ledbury some of us stopped off for tea and more cake at Hellens in Much Marcle, on wht had finally turned into a lovely sunny spring day.

And to add to the celebrations a beautiful handmade card from our “artist in residence” Hannah.

With ceremonial send-offs from the mayors of all three of our towns, our timekeeping was a bit patchy in places – apologies to anyone who had a wait – we will do better!

So a huge thank you to everyone who came along and made our first day so special. Now Let’s keep it going. Remember, if everyone who lives along the route uses the bus just once a month, the daffodil line will thrive.

When will you be “doing the daff”? #doingthedaff.