Volunteers save bus services
I need to appologise for some slightly loose drafting last week when I asked readers who wanted to know more to contact me about an innovative community transport scheme. It was actually a scheme initiated on a public transport route by a private bus provider and it flagged up the difficulties of encouraging people entitled to free and subsidized travel to make a voluntary contribution to its costs. The scheme operator is considering a fight with the DfT over this and if they do I will keep you up to speed with progress.
A number of you kindly thanked me nonetheless for this story as it added to your store of information about the challenges and issues facing local authorities and community transport providers in the current climate of public sector austerity. This story continues that theme. The article from which it is drawn explains:
“On theIsle of Wight, the Conservative controlled authority has wound up the council-run service in order to save £280,000. However it has reached an agreement with the local commercial operator,Southern Vectis, to protect the routes. Edward Giles, the councillor responsible for highways, said the scheme was essential. “We have been able to plan and deliver – with the support of the community – a range of services that leaves theIslandwell covered in terms of bus routes during what are difficult economic times in which other areas are losing routes,” he said. “Without the volunteers it is extremely unlikely these routes would be operating at all.” The deal will see the company provide the buses, fuel and training for 60 volunteers who will be unpaid. They will require a special licence, have to undergo medical checks as well as being vetted for any criminal convictions.” – Food for thought?