When Ring and Ride users get on board Ray Pickering’s mini bus they can sit back and relax, safe in the knowledge they are in good hands.

Birmingham City Council’s Community Options Team have launched their new DVD promoting their travel training programme which enables adults with learning difficulties to use public transport independently. The event took place at the Council House on the 1st October and was opened by the Lord Mayor Cllr Michael Wilkes.

Following the success of last year‘s competition, both the Driver and Non Driver of the Year 2009 competitions are running between the 1st May and 31st October 2009.

The aims of the competition are to acknowledge the valued work carried out by all staff throughout the year and to visibly reward Staff members for their efforts during the 6 month period over which the competition runs.

Last year Birmingham Education Department requested that our Education Drivers on the Mayfield School contract undertake an NVQ Level 2 in Road Passenger Vehicle Driving as part of a pilot scheme.

September 2009 saw the launch of a new venture with Sandwell Education Transport Department (Sandwell ETD) where wmsnt will be operating 11 Minibuses as part of a home to school, long term contract, for 3 schools for children with specific educational needs.

wmsnt is very pleased to announce the appointment of Mike Barnes to run its Ring and Ride operation in Coventry. Mike took up his new post on 3rd August 2009.

Mrs Spicer celebrated her 100th Birthday on Wednesday 22nd July 2009 with a party for her family and friends.

Mrs Spicer has been registerd with Ring & Ride for 11 years, and uses the service every week to travel to her local church.

Steve Olden, who was recently presented with the Non-Driver of the Year Award at the Ring and Ride 25th Anniversary event in December 2008, has been promoted to be Deputy Manager of the South Birmingham Depot.

Darren Need has been a Ring and Ride driver based at the East Depot since June 2003.

On Wednesday 3rd June 2009, Darren arrived at his next pick up destination, where he found the front door open and the passenger's son was in a panic calling out for help.

Roy Shakespeare has been a Ring and Ride driver based at the East Depot since December 1990, prior to that he was employed as a machinist and a farm worker.

On Friday 10th June following a group trip to Beckets Farm, Roy was bringing back a resident from the Yardley Great Trust, when the passenger was suddenly taken very ill. The passengers’ breathing was very shallow and she had started to appear blue in colour.