Former Vincent mayor says community bus ‘gathering dust’, wants it returned to business

A COMMUNITY bus donated to the City of Vincent has been on a road to nowhere, according to a former mayor.

North Perth Bendigo Bank chairman and former Vincent mayor Nick Catania said the organisation handed over the brand new $132,000 22-seater bus in 2008 to transport community groups, but is now “gathering moss and dust” at an Osborne Park depot.

“The bus was given to the City while I was mayor and was used well by local sport groups and taking aged care people on day trips,” he said.

“But now it sits there gathering moss and dust and we want it back so we can convert the back part of it for food storage and serve food to homeless people.

“It would still be used as a bus because the seats would remain.”

Mr Catania said he first contacted the City about the idea six months ago.

This week, he sent a letter to Vincent chief executive Len Kosova saying the bank would take action if the bus was not returned.

“If this demonstration of strong community spirit by the North Perth Community Banks is refused, it reserves the right to take this matter to whatever jurisdiction is available to adjudicate on your council’s refusal to assist the disadvantaged in our local community by allowing the community bus to be used for the purpose intended,” he wrote.

The City of Vincent has been approached for comment.