Home Local News New deal for ‘on demand’ cars and buses

New deal for ‘on demand’ cars and buses

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The future of community cars and buses has been secured after Lancashire County Council signed a three-year contract with a consortium of local transport providers.

Five companies in the county operate community transport services – ‘on demand’ buses and cars schemes, that provide a door to door service for people who can’t use conventional buses or live too far from bus routes.

Their successful bid under a consortium called Lancashire Community Transport guarantees funding for Dial-a-Ride bus services and Community Car schemes until April 2018. These services will be provided alongside the existing Travelcare services run by Lancashire County Council’s in-house operator.

County Councillor John Fillis, cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “Not everyone has the opportunity to use conventional bus or transport services and they may not own a car.

“Community transport provides a lifeline for many people to go to the doctors, shopping or meet up with family and friends. It’s targeted particularly at older and disabled people.

“Dial-a-Ride buses provide a door-to-door service where alternative public transport is non-existent, or where passengers would have difficulty getting on and off conventional buses or even standing at a bus stop.

“Community Car schemes help people who may face rural isolation and provide a flexible service for those who can’t access conventional public transport and for whom the Dial-a-Ride buses aren’t a viable option either.

“I’m very pleased to have agreed a new contract which puts these companies on a secure footing, particularly at a time when Lancashire County Council is facing huge financial pressures due to cuts in our budget, and increasing demand for services.

“It will enable operators to learn from each other and develop joint training and administration systems to save money, and create opportunities for them to apply for funding from alternative sources to expand and develop their services.

“This new agreement is a huge opportunity for the operators and provides reassurance that these services will be there in the future for some of the most vulnerable people in our society.”

The Lancashire Community Transport consortium is led by Little Green Bus Limited, Clitheroe, and includes Central Lancashire Dial-A-Ride, West Lancashire Dial-A-Ride, Preston Community Transport, and Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Council for Voluntary Service.

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