Thanks to the support of volunteers and donations from companies in the region, LV Streetwise, Dorset’s award winning interactive safety education charity in Bournemouth, has a new bus to teach children how to safely and responsibly use public transport.

Actually it’s half of a single deck Optare Solo bus donated by Wilts & Dorset to replace an older MCW Metrorider half bus given to Streetwise when the facility was opened in 1998. The bus operator then involved its sister company Hants & Dorset Trim, the Eastleigh based bus and coach renovation and refurbishment specialists, and they kindly cut the bus in half at a 31 degree angle so it would fit within the street within the facility.

Bournemouth based H P Transport sent volunteers Mike Bright and Nigel Leverton to collect the half bus and with the help of Trevor Gunning and forklift from the nearby Build Center branch, the vehicle was carefully unloaded and manoeuvred into position guided by LV Streetwise Site Supervisor Gordon Kerr and Deputy Manager Pete Isaacs.

Alison Shelton, LV Streetwise manager, thanked everyone involved for their support and said that the inclusion of the larger updated bus in the latest Wilts & Dorset livery, complete with low floor easy access entry, would greatly enhance the children’s learning experience within the centre and was yet another great milestone marking the centre’s continued quest to reflect real life in its scenarios. See Photo below, courtesy of the Daily Echo.

She added “Wilts & Dorset are Platinum Supporters - one of several founder sponsors who are still supporting the centre 11 years on. We are extremely grateful for their continued commitment to the community through the provision of this visible and extremely useful addition to our centre.”

For more information about visiting, volunteering or supporting the safety centre ring (01202) 591330 or visit www.streetwise.org.uk