LOCAL people must make more use the community bus service Hoppa or risk losing it, according to the chairman of Waverley Community Transport.

Brian Richards has warned that despite funding finally coming through for the next year, residents needed to use what he describes as "Waverley's best kept secret".

Hoppa serves people that have difficulty using traditional buses; the disabled, the elderly, people with financial hardship or who live in remote areas with no public transport or a poor service.

Staff had feared for their jobs after the Countryside Agency warned it may not be able to provide it's part of the £400,000 a year running costs. Mr Richards wrote to Waverley Borough Council, Surrey County Council and local MP's for help to save the service.

Funds have now been committed by the Countryside Agency, Surrey and Waverley, but only for the next year.

"This is great news, despite not getting quite the amount we were expecting from the Countryside Agency," Mr Richards said. "However, it seems that Hoppa is one of Waverley's best kept secrets. Many of the potential users don't even know the buses exist."

Since it's formation last summer, only a limited amount of money had been spent on marketing Hoppa, Mr Richards claimed.

Hoppa has seven vehicles, the largest a 16 seater; five mini buses and two people carriers. It is a not-for-profit company, with 17 paid staff, supported by nine directors, two councillors and several volunteer drivers.

Of the £400,000 costs, £95,000 pays for four office staff, and £150,000 goes on drivers. In the Hoppa business plan for 2003/4, Mr Richards identifies a number of new sources for funding, including the lottery community fund, and town and parish councils.

The chairman recently applied to the Guildford and Waverley PCT to run a trial service to the Royal Surrey County Hospital and is considering commercial sponsorship and charitable status.

"Now all we need is the people of Waverley to use our services to the full," he said. "We offer home to shops trips to Cranleigh, Farnham, Godalming and Haslemere, a wider ranging door-to-door service, and services to day centres and community activities for all ages."

Passenger numbers have doubled in recent months, and a recent survey reveals a high level of customer satisfaction.

"Use us or lose us seems to be the message," Mr Richards said.

For more information on Hoppa's services call 01428 681 701.