WYRE Forest’s two community transport services are conjoining to improve the system with a growing number of passengers, writes Aidan Kilcullen.
The district charities Dial-A-Ride and Community Transport Wyre Forest (CTWF) will be banding together to form Wyre Forest Community Transport from tomorrow (Saturday, March 1).
The new organisation will operate from Dial-A-Ride’s base at Wyre Forest District Council’s depot in Kidderminster, with the charity’s chief officer David Muggeridge having run both services in partnership since last summer.
Wyre Forest Community Transport offers affordable door-to-door transport using minibuses and volunteers’ cars, for any trips from medical and social appointments, outings, shopper services and three community bus services.
Glen Collins, chairman of the newly combined board of trustees, said: “We are delighted to announce the integration of our two organisations for the benefit of our several hundred passengers across Wyre Forest and to enhance our capacity to cope with ever growing demand.
“Our lifeline services to elderly and disabled people, as well as to those for whom there is a lack of adequate public transport, will not change but efficiency and effectiveness will be enhanced.
“It also provides the prospect for new areas of provision to be pursued and offers attractive funding opportunities to major funding bodies, along with significant scope for further local funding bids and fundraising.”
Outgoing chair of CTWF Trudi Elliott, who will continue as a trustee of the new board, added: “We have consulted staff, volunteers, fellow trustees, Worcestershire County Council, our accountants, lawyers, and the Charity Commission over the last 15 months.
We are confident that our comprehensive due diligence has led to the creation of a highly efficient and robust organisation ready to serve our passengers.
“The future is looking very bright, with tremendous excitement at the prospect of improving our already excellent services and developing new ones to benefit the people of Wyre Forest.”
More information is available at ctwyre.org.uk about services and how to volunteer or donate.
