Free bus service into town

REACHING the centre of Benitachell from its surrounding urbanisations will be easier from this month. The town hall plans to enable a free on ­ demand bus which will pick up residents from their door or at an agreed nearby point when they request it.

The objective of this new service, which began to be operational from Wednesday, July 19, is to provide the elderly, those with reduced mobility or do not have a driving licence, access to the town centre of the town so that they can visit the doctor or go shopping.

The bus service will run every Wednesday and Friday until the end of the year. It will depart at 9am on Wednesdays and at 8am on Fridays (blood tests are performed at the medical centre that day) with a flexible schedule depending on the route and demand for that day. It will make several round trips during the day until 2pm. The town hall stated that the service is a pilot test which, if it works, will last for a whole year.

Persons interested in requesting the service can do so at least three days in advance, by calling 608 012 202, the number expressly enabled for this purpose. They must indicate the full name, address and a contact telephone number.

It will also be useful to indicate the reason for the visit or the place they want to go to, the preferred time and the length of time of their visit. Once a person has registered for the ser­ vice, they can send the pick up location by WhatsApp. The service has been subsidised by the town council and follows disability guidelines.

Initially, the intention was to offer this service to make trips to Denia Hospital. However, the government rejected the second proposal as there is already a regular service provided by the ALSA bus company with a stop in Benitachell. This bus leaves in the direction of the Denia Hospital from Calle Capelletes at 9.40am and at 11.25am. The return is at 10.55am and at 6.10pm.