The non-profit organisation provides transport for locals that are frail aged, disabled or disadvantaged due to limited public transport.

The service covers the Mid-Western Regional Council area, as well as regional and trips to Sydney, for a variety of reasons including medical appointments. 

One of Mudgee Community Transport’s longest serving volunteers, Pat Burns, has been a driver for close to 18 years.

She has been there since the early days and said that there is a lot she likes about volunteering to the service.

“I love driving and I take it very seriously and this is what I love doing, I love the service and I have a great respect for what it provides for the community,” she said.

“I love meeting the people, you meet some wonderful people and it’s a part of the job that I thoroughly enjoy.

“I enjoy spending my spare time doing this simply because you’re not tied down to particular days or places, you choose your own destination and times.”

Mrs Burns said the service was a vital part of town and she got satisfaction out of knowing she was  helping those who need it.

“The clients really appreciate it. Many don’t drive to many of the places we go to and there’s very little public transport in country areas,” she said.

“So we provide that service where people are taken to the door, waited for and bought home, and they’re cared for in that time because our clients are our number one priority and anything they need we provide.

“After all these years I still love doing it because it helps people and they’re so appreciative, they’ll tell you things like ‘this is the best thing in town’.

“What ever happens in a day, you go home knowing you’ve made a difference.”

Mudgee Community Transport is part of the Mid-Western Regional Council’s Community Services Department.

The are located at the Carmel Croan Community Centre, corner of Market and Douro Streets, Mudgee, phone number is 6378 2710.