A LONG-AWAITED Gillingham community shuttle bus will officially launch next year after funding was secured.

A pilot six-month Thursday service gets rolling on February 26, 2026, and will initially be dedicated to transporting residents of Wyke, Peacemarsh and Milton-on-Stour into town to access facilities and services.

Usage and demand will be reviewed after five months so passengers are being advised to “use it or lose it”.

The new service, organised by the Gillingham Community Bus Group, comes after much public consultation and a drop-in event held in April.

“If the once-a-week pilot service goes well, it may be extended to other days,” the group says.

Once the service is up and running, residents can call and book a door-to-door service, priced at £2 per trip.

Three Rivers Partnership will hold the contract between Dorset Community Transport and Dorset Council on behalf of the bus group.

To use the service, people must register with Dorset Community Transport by calling 01258 287987 to request a form be posted out.

Alternatively, a form can be downloaded from the ECT website and either returned via post or emailed to dorset@ectcharity.co.uk