£36million for biggest Ring and Ride
Tens of thousands of people across the West Midlands are in line for an even better Ring and Ride service thanks to a new funding arrangement between the charity and Centro, the regions transport authority.
The arrangment will see Centro contributing around 12million a year for the next three years, giving wmsnt the financial security it needs to press ahead with a package of improvements.
The service provides a lifeline for more than 70,000 people with limited mobility, many of whom would be unable to leave their homes to visit day centres, family and friends without it.
The rolling three year Business Plan means users of all ages, who enjoy door to door transport in specially adapted minibuses, will now benfit from a new computerised system allowing a greater number and more flexible journeys to be booked. Evening operating hours will also be extended beyond the existing 10pm finish.
Ways of improving access to work, training and education for younger disabled people will also be explored and a pilot scheme is set to be launched in Coventry to enable Ring and Ride users to transfer between the service and a high frequency low floor bus service.
The scheme, in partnership with National Express Coventry, will enable passengers to travel further afield than their local Ring and Ride operating area for visiting, shopping or leisure.
Peter Maggs, Chief Executive of wmsnt Ltd, said: 'We are delighted to have reached this arrangement with Centro. It provides wmsnt with the financial security to make long term plans for improvements to the quality and quantity of the Ring and Ride service for the benefit of our passengers.'
Centro chairman Cllr Gary Clarke added: 'Ring and Ride is a real lifeline for thousands of people in the West Midlands and therefore plays an extremely important role in our region's public transport system. It is for that reason that we have worked in close partnership with wmsnt for a number of years and why we are delighted to see this funding arrangment put in place. It will help give wmsnt a good financial foundation on which to further improve the marvellous Ring and Ride service and to meet the challenges of a rising elderly population.'
Cllr Jon Hunt, Centro's lead member for bus and highways, said: 'The new deal opens up the opportunity to further develop Ring and Ride in a way not possible previously. We're now looking forward to improved services for users of this much-prized service.'
Ring and Ride, which began in 1983 with two minibuses operating out of a Victorian building in Park Lane, Hockley provides around two million trips a year in the West Midlands making it the largest privately operated Ring and Ride service in the world.
But with an ageing population and greater expectations amoung disabled people both young and old, demand for the service continues to grow.
Figures show that the wider West Midlands region will see the number of people aged 60 and over rise from 1.2million in 2006 to £1.7million by 2029.
The funding agreement with Centro is designed to help the charity meet increased demand and those growing expectations.
Picture above: From left: Gary Clarke, Chairman, Centro; Peter Maggs, Chief Executive, wmsnt Ltd.