New transport scheme launched in Castle Point (From Echo)

New transport scheme launched in Castle Point

5:20pm Friday 5th February 2010 in

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A NEW transport service for the elderly and disabled in Castle Point has been launched.

Rochford-based Wyvern Community Transport is set to offer its dial-a-ride services to people who are physically unable to use public transport in the borough from the beginning of April.

The service, which is being jointly funded by Castle Point Council and Essex County Council, will run one bus in the borough, replacing the dial-a-ride service currently offered by Southend Council.

However, there are fears the service will be a threat to the Castle Point Social Car Scheme, which offers a similar service, but is currently locked in talks with Castle Point Council after the authority effectively halved its funding from the start of this year.

Castle Point MP Bob Spink is concerned He said: “I would like to know what funding the two councils are giving Wyvern and why that money couldn’t be spent on improving the social car scheme?

“What is the point of funding two similar services?”

However, Andy Woodley, transport manager of Wyvern, said his firm would not be a threat to the social car scheme. He said: “There’s always been a confusion between the social car scheme and us, but, in fact, we’re completely separate. The social car scheme tends to take people along regular routes, like to a weekly social club or church.

“Our business will be open to anyone who is unable to use public transport and is looking to get somewhere, whether it be the doctor’s, shopping, or wherever.”

“There is no reason the two schemes cannot operate side by side.”

Wyvern is a registered charity, which already runs dial-a-ride services in Rochford, where 29,000 journeys were carried out last year alone.

The council and the organisers of the social car scheme remain in talks after the authority stopped funding one of the scheme’s two drivers in January because it deemed the service inefficient.

The scheme has managed to continue providing two drivers thanks to charitable contributions.

David Marchant, chief executive of Castle Point Council, said the council would not comment on Wyvern’s role until the contract began in April.

He said: “Castle Point Borough Council does not have any contractual relationship with a firm or transport operator called Wyvern and is unable to provide any comment in connection with their operations.”