Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Bus lifeline for elderly faces council budget cut
A district-wide community bus service valued as a lifeline by the elderly and infirm could be hit by city council cuts.
Dial-a-ride is operated by the county council, with Canterbury City Council contributing £38,000 a year towards three minibuses in Canterbury, Herne Bay and Whitstable.
But tonight (Thursday), members of the city council’s regeneration and property committee will be asked to approve removing the support, which could result in one of the buses being taken out of service.
In a report to the committee, senior transportation engineer Ruth Goudie says the council is having to review its services and whether they provide good value.
It has revealed the bus service is heavily subsidised, costing an average of £40 per passenger per journey.
She says if the city council’s contribution is withdrawn, KCC has indicated it may reduce the service to two buses, which would likely cut availability.
But she points to other alternative volunteer transport services in the district, which are available to the elderly.
More than 150 passengers are signed up to the Dial-a-ride service.
To qualify, members of the scheme have to be over 85 and must find it physically difficult to travel on normal public transport.
They could also live in a rural area, at least 500m from a regular bus route.
Users pay £5 a year membership and up to £3.50 for a return fare in rural areas.
Many use the service to travel to hospital and say it is their lifeline.
In her report, Mrs Goudie concludes: “The city council has provided a subsidy towards the Kent Karrier service since 2008, but owing to budgetary constraints, it is recommended this should cease from April 1, 2017.”
Will you be affected? What do you think? Email kentishgazette@ thekmgroup.co.uk or write to Gazette House, 5-8 Boorman Way, Wraik Hill, Whitstable, CT5 3SE.