The manager of a Glenkens lifeline transport scheme is stepping down after eight years at the helm.
Glen Murray will retire from his role at Galloway Community Transport (GCT) on Hogmanay.
During his tenure the charity has steadily gone up through the gears as demand for its services grew.
Mr Murray said: “When I took over what was then Glenkens Transport Initiative we had two minibuses and a handful of member organisations.
“Now we have three buses, eight electric bikes, an electric car and around 90 member organisations.
“And we’ve just got £230,000 to buy a new fully accessible 16-seater electric minibus which we expect to put into service in May.
“The scheme has come on leaps and bounds and is unrecognisable from when I started. At that time we were doing just one school service.
“Now we are doing three plus the registered 517 service round Borgue, Brighouse and Kirkcudbright.
“We also set up a patient transport service in 2019 and that’s become a big part of what we are doing.”
Other GCT initiatives include a two-wheeled scheme to get people more active – particularly those of more senior years.
Mr Murray said: “We have a big fleet of electric bikes and we’ve set up a bike club. It has grown steadily and we now have more than 20 members.”
GCT has around 30 drivers on its books all of whom must do a set number of volunteer hours to get paid work. All are fully trained and MIDAS certified.
Meanwhile, Mr Murray, 67, can look back on a job well done – and forward to a couple of projects of his own.
He said: “It has been a brilliant experience. I’m not regretting retirement – I have a book project to be getting on with. I will now be able to devote some serious time – I have spent six years researching it off and on.
“I also have a yacht at Kirkcudbright marina and she needs a bit of work. She’s named Ziba, which is Persian for beautiful, and the plan is to sail round Ireland next summer.”
Mr Murray added: “GCT will keep me on in a consultancy role for four hours a week. And I’ll still drive the bus occasionally to keep my hand in – but that’s me finished.
“Deputy manager John Betts will take over from me on January 1. He will be supported by our new administrator Sue McMinn. They are doing great work and GCT is in safe hands.”
Anyone wishing more information cam contact gct@catstrand.com
