Council undertakes review of "invaluable" community transport |
- Published: Wednesday, 25 January 2017 16:17
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Tandridge District Council has been undertaking a district-wide review of how community transport could best be provided in the future. However, some users of community transport are concerned that the level of service currently provided by East Surrey Dial-a-Ride will not be maintained when the current service level agreement with the council expires later this spring.
Warlingham resident, Carol Dance, whose husband Barry is a wheelchair user, said: “Dial-a-Ride is more than just transport - their lovely drivers provide a real service for the elderly. If I am not here they let themselves in to the house to help Barry out to the bus and will see him safely back into his chair when they bring him home. There are an awful lot of people on their own and they need that extra bit of care.”
The Council said in a statement: “Community transport is an invaluable service for many residents who would otherwise not be able to travel easily around the area. Tandridge recognises the importance of community transport and has been reviewing how this could best be provided in future. The tender which has been advertised is the result of the district-wide community transport review, it is not the East Surrey Dial-a-Ride service which has been put out to tender. The Council has a service level agreement in place with East Surrey Dial-a-Ride (ESDaR) which expires on 31st March 2017, which meant it was an appropriate time to take a fresh look at how the service could be provided across the whole area.
"The review looked at how community transport is delivered across the district and how funding is allocated by the district council and Surrey County Council. One of the recommendations from the review was to invite applications from community transport organisations to provide a sustainable and resilient service, which recognises the needs of residents and maintains the same level of service, while providing value for money.
"The outcome of the tender process will be announced by 1st February.”
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