Community transport fees slashed

Members of Redditch Borough Council have voted to lower journey fees for the town’s Dial A Ride service by up to 50 per cent.

The council’s door-to-door community transport service for residents who cannot use public transport will now cost just £2.50 a journey down from £5 standard concessionary rate.

Concessionary medical journeys will be £3.50 down from £6, and non-concessionary fares were cut from £6 and £7 for medical journeys, to £3.50 and £4.50 respectively.

The new prices will start on Thursday (August 1) after councillors approved the move at last night’s full council meeting.

Redditch Borough Council’s Portfolio holder for Community Services, Cllr Monica Stringfellow, said: “Dial a Ride performs a vital service to Redditch by connecting people with their communities and we are proud to keep that service more accessible than ever. During this cost of living crisis when times are hard, we are helping where we can.

“People all over Redditch use Dial a Ride to get to the shops, clubs, medical appointments and more, and many of our customers tell us how much it means to them. I hope that with this new backing from the council, more people than ever who could benefit from the service will pick up the phone and find out more.”

The change is designed to reduce financial barriers to getting around the borough and encourage more people to benefit from the service.

The Leader of the Council, Cllr Joe Baker, added: “Too often recently the community services that improve so many people’s lives in Redditch have been overlooked and undervalued. We are putting that right. We said many times that increasing charges for Dial a Ride was only hurting those most vulnerable in society, I am so pleased that we have put this forward and made this service more affordable for those who need it most.”

Dial A Ride’s friendly team can take registered customers anywhere in Redditch in a fleet of modern wheelchair-accessible minibuses, which feature low rise steps for easy access. Register for the service by calling 01527 64910, for just £15 a year. Concessionary journey fees are available with a concessionary bus pass. A combined Dial a Ride and Shopmobility discount is also available.

For more information, call on the number above or visit www.redditchbc.gov.uk/DialARide.