Dial-a-Ride bosses step in to save buses

Bus services in north Shropshire have been saved thanks to Oswestry Dial-a-Ride. The move follows the end of North Shropshire Community Transport.

NSCT will cease its operations on June 2 due to a lack of sustainable funding.

Bosses at Oswestry Dial-a-Ride were concerned that elderly and disabled residents would be left without essential transport, so agreed to take on some of NSCT's services.

On June 3 Dial-a-Ride will take over the number 3 service from Wem to Ellesmere on Tuesdays and the 3A service from Ellesmere to Wem Thursdays. Both are "flexibly" registered, which means people can be picked up and dropped off at their door provided they fall within a specified area.

Dial-a-Ride will also provide transport to and from the Age Concern day centres in Wem and Ellesmere.

For more details, a timetable, or to book a journey passengers should call (01691) 671571 by 4pm the day before they wish to travel. Any volunteers can ring the same number.

Oswestry Community Action's transport manager Andrew Brown said: "It is my hope that we will be able to expand our community transport services in north Shropshire to help even more people but it may take a short period of time for us get properly established."

He added the group was looking for somewhere safe to park its minibus overnight in Ellesmere and urged anyone able to help to get in touch.

The North Salop Wheelers, which provide demand-responsive transport in Wem and Whitchurch, are also hoping to expand their service and have applied for a grant from Advantage West Midlands for a second bus and a new cab for disabled users.