Thumbs up for new bus

Docklands’ Mission to Seafarers has a new bus, increasing its potential to provide vital services to seafarers.

According to Mission to Seafarers Victoria (MtSV) operations manager Bill Reid (pictured below), the new bus was made possible through the generous support of Budget.  

Mr Reid said brothers Paul and Simon Wheelton operate a number of Budget franchises in Melbourne and quickly offered the vehicle at a discounted price, when they heard the mission was in need of a new bus.

“We are very grateful to Paul and Simon for giving us a great deal on a nearly-new bus,” Mr Reid said.

Mr Reid said the mission had been operating with just one ageing bus and said the new bus would allow the mission to be more efficient and offer greater services to seafarers.

“Now, provided we’ve got the drivers, we can dispatch two buses – meaning we’ve got more capacity to pick up seafarers,” Mr Reid said.

“The bus opens up more opportunities for us because the single bus needed to be available at all times to pick up and return to seafarers to the port. Now that we have a second bus it allows us to take seafarers to other places around the city,” Mr Reid said.

The mission is on the lookout for volunteer drivers who can commit to at least one four-hour shift per week. If you’re interested in volunteering, contact Mr Reid at the Mission to Seafarers on 9629 7083.