The much-loved Filey Town Bus is in urgent need of a new engine. The bus service, often nicknamed Collin’s Little Bus, has run in Filey for the last sixteen years. During that time passengers have numbered well into six figures, but perhaps it is the personal service that stands out. There are innumerable tales of Colin remembering his passengers’ various appointments – doctor, hairdresser, vet, and makes adjustments to the service to help!

Sadly, post-covid passenger numbers have dropped significantly which has badly hit the buses income. The bus now needs a new engine, which will cost in the region of £6,000. A couple of his regular users have started a campaign to raise this money to help keep the service running.

The good news is that donations have been pouring in. Several fund raising events are planned in November. The Star is hosting a race night to raise funds for the bus on Saturday 20th November 6.30pm. You can be a race sponsor for £20. Pop into the Star if you would like to become a sponsor. There is also a Grand National Sweepstake and a raffle with a host of prizes. Staff from the Filey branch of Hunter’s estate agents are planning a sponsored walk from Flamborough Head to Filey on 21st November, to raise funds for the engine appeal.

You can donate directly and information on how to do this is on the Friends of Filey Town Service facebook page.

The bus service runs on weekdays Monday to Friday, it has a flat £2 fare or is free to those with national bus passes. The service has been funded for many years by Filey Town Council and Filey Bay Today. Unfortunately, there isn’t the funding, or manpower, to run the service at weekends, which is a shame given the chronic traffic congestion during weekends in the holiday season. There was a land train planned to link the West Avenue and Country Park car parks, but the pandemic stopped that in its tracks. Perhaps an expanded Town Bus service could do the same job and help ease traffic congestion and parking problems in the summer months? Something for the Town Council to ponder?