Dial-a-ride service is saved

A lifeline transport service for the Wyre Forest district has been saved after passengers agreed to a 100 per cent increase in fares.

Emergency talks had been held over a cash shortage which threatened the Dial-A-Ride minibus service for the elderly, housebound and disabled, with closure.

The service, based in New Road, Kidderminster, costs £100,000-a-year to run and depends on grants and donations.

Four minibuses used by the service travel up to 10,000 miles and cater for more than 320 registered users during the year.

But the charity faced the axe because of continuing financial problems despite being bailed out for a time through a £10,000 grant from Wyre Forest District Council.

Councillors were concerned that the asset to the district could be lost and officials carried out a survey among customers. Passengers were asked if they would be prepared to pay more than the standard 50 pence for their door-to-door journeys.

An overwhelming 171 out of 172 people said they would agree to a rise from 50 pence to £1 for each journey for bus pass holders.

Other passengers will also be paying increases of 50 pence for journeys of up to three miles, which will now cost £2 and £2.50 for those over three miles. Councillor John Holden, Wyre Forest District Council's cabinet member for corporate and customer services, said: "We are delighted at the outcome of this consultation."