Transport move will hurt firms

It seems Powys County Council has done a U-turn as regards using the Red Kite minibuses for school transport to recoup the huge losses (£88,000 in one year) on its previous operations.

In order to operate legally and to satisfy parents and schools as to their safety, insurance and licensing Tony Goodman of the council's transport unit stated at a school parents meeting that the Red Kite minibuses would operate on an "at cost" basis with no hire and reward element, with drivers employed from Newtown Dial-a-Ride, also on an at low cost basis - but it would still charge parents on the vacant seat scheme.

He also stated that to satisfy the above criteria, replacement costs of the minibuses would come from within council budgets. I think that would mean the council tax payer and cutting other services.

It was also revealed by Michael Jones of Dial-a-Ride, that it will depend on the council to award it contracts for its future viability.

It is a registered charity supported and sponsored by local companies not a commercial business to take work off private and small firms.

A P Davies, Welshpool