The driving force behind the foundation of the Stortford Shuttle bus service, John Barfoot, has been honoured for his service to the town.
He was presented with a limited edition minibus trophy and vouchers to thank him for his contribution to Bishop’s Stortford Community Transport from 2011 to 2023.
Mr Barfoot, a former Herts county councillor, has served as a trustee and chair of the organisation.
Current chair James Parker said: “John is the ‘founding father’ of the popular Stortford Shuttle service run by the trust.
“This operates a figure-of-eight route through the town six days a week. It clocks up nearly 20,000 passenger journeys annually, stopping both at fixed bus stops and as a ‘hail and ride’, and provides a lifeline to its passengers who depend on it to take them to the town centre, hospital, GPs. and other essential services.
“Today, the Stortford Shuttle is well established, with a steady income stream and recently acquired, brand new, Mercedes Sprinter low-floor minibus.
“But back in 2011 it was very different. Funding was scarce, the economics and demand were uncertain, the route wasn’t planned, and while there was solid support in some quarters, many were sceptical.
“John made it his personal mission to navigate through all of this. He engaged with Herts County Council’s passenger transport unit, the town and [East Herts] district council, and others and steadily accumulated sufficient funding to start the service.
“He personally drove the proposed routes several times to test timings, drew up press releases for the local papers and delivered thousands of leaflets through doors.
“By 2012 the first service was running five days per week, but it was practically empty. The low uptake was disappointing to all after the many hours of hard work, and attention to detail. “Undaunted John spearheaded publicity campaigns and analysed research to improve the route, leading eventually to a redesign that enabled the service, for the first time, to accept elderly persons’ bus passes.
“By then it has already acquired a loyal following, the stimulus of the redesign and re-launch was transformational, leading to a significant growth in passenger numbers.”
In 2017 a trial run for a Saturday service was launched under John’s leadership and after some tinkering with the route, the Stortford Shuttle service that operates today was established.
As he presented the trophy to Mr Barfoot, Mr Parker said: “Words cannot express adequately how grateful we are to John for his dedication to this cause, and we thank him for his efforts throughout his time as a trustee and chairman.
In addition to the Stortford Shittle service, Bishop’s Stortford Community Transport provides economical, self-drive hire, accessible minibuses for community groups and others in and around the town.
Its day-to-day operation is funded by a recurring grant from Bishop’s Stortford Town Council, advertising on the vehicles and charges - including fares reimbursed by the county council where bus passes are used.
However, the trust is entirely dependent on ad-hoc grants and donations to replace the buses and a further replacement costing £100,000 new or £40,000 secondhand is desperately needed.
To support the service with donations or legacies, advertise on its vehicles or become a trustee, contact Bishop’s Stortford Town Council.
