Harpenden 10th Girl Guides transport project

The 10th Girl Guides group in Harpenden are working towards their engineering badge. As part of their work they are studying transport methods and routes around Harpenden and how they could be improved upon to help different groups of people - the young, elderly, disabled, those without cars, cyclists etc. They asked the Hopper Team if we could come along to one of their meetings and show the girls the Harpenden Hopper bus and talk about its wonderful role in our community. They also asked if it would be possible to take the Guides on the bus around the town on its route.

On Friday 10th October 2025, Harpenden Connect trustee and volunteer Hopper driver, Peter Hart, together with volunteer Hopper driver, Alan James duly attended the Guides meeting at St Nicholas’ Church Hall. Peter gave a presentation about the Hopper - how the concept of a community minibus service in Harpenden was first established and with the purchase of two very old minibuses, the service began. He described the difficulties back then in 2016 and 2017 and then explained how from there it has flourished. enhanced significantly, of course, with the purchase of the two present modern minibuses in service today. The Guides were given a worksheet with questions about the Hopper and local transport to complete to help with their project. Then they embarked onto both the buses and Alan and Peter drove them around the Hopper route through Harpenden.

Peter Hart - presenting to the 10th Girl Guides group on Friday 10th October 2025