Little Red Bus News

Fountains Abbey Shuttle

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Our seasonal bus service 139 to Fountains Abbey has now finished for the 2011 season.

We hope to be running the Fountains Abbey Shuttle again next year - details will be posted here when available.

In the meantime please check www.dalesbus.org for details of other buses in the area.

Bowland Transit Changes

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Our Bowland Transit service changed from 31st October 2011.

Services B1, B10 and B11 have been replaced by new services 10, 10A and 11, which are operated by Little Red Bus under contract to Lancashire County Council.

Service 10 provides a through service from Clitheroe via Slaidburn to Settle, with buses then continuing as service 11 to Horton in Ribblesdale.

Service 10A provides additional peak-time journeys between Clitheroe and Slaidburn, running via Waddington.

Download timetable.

Bentham Railway Station

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0100

It is 3 years this week since the official opening of the Station Building and we are still loving our offices. We have made a few changes but the service is still the same!

Wennington Dial-a-Ride

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0100

The take up for this service started on 1 March has been good and we continue to get regular passengers.It is however important to BOOK as we are not allowed to just pick up when the bus comes in and if no-one books we will not be there!

Our Dial-a-Ride bus connects with the 1415 bus from Lancaster at Wennington Green at 1452 on Mondays to Fridays. Our bus can drop off at Main Street, Low Bentham; Burton, shop; and High Bentham, School Hill.

You will need to let us know you are coming by telephoning 015242 62753, but you can do this up to a few minutes before you arrive in Wennington.

Ride around for a pound!

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Are you under 18? Want to get out and about this August?

Catch up with friends, go swimming in Ingleton or to Settle or somewhere new in Craven.

Phone us on 015242 62753 for more information and you're on your way!

Hawes Village Bus

Mon, 16 May 2011 00:00:00 +0100

The Hawes Town & Villages Bus service (route 113) has been operated by Little Red Bus under contract to North Yorkshire County Council for several years.

However from 16th May 2011 the contract to operate the service has been awarded to Upper Wensleydale Community Partnership (Little White Bus). Details of the new service are available on the DalesBus website.

Little Red Bus would like to thank all our customers for their support whilst we've been running this service.

In the Hawes area we do however continue to provide demand responsive services, group bookings and a service to view the red squirrels at Snaizeholme.

Malham Tarn Shuttle

Sun, 24 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Little Red Bus will be providing the Malham Tarn Shuttle service for summer 2011.

This handy service links Settle, Malham Tarn and Malham village, running approximately every hour throughout the day on Sundays and Bank Holidays.

The bus runs between 24th April and 23rd October 2011.

The service is managed by the Dales & Bowland Community Interest Company as part of the DalesBus network, with financial support from the National Trust.

Download timetable

Visit DalesBus website

Buses to Fountains Abbey

Fri, 22 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +0100

The Summer Sunday and Bank Holiday bus link from Ripon to Fountains Abbey will restart for the 2011 season on Good Friday 22nd April.

The service runs mainly hourly, with most journeys calling in at the Deer Park, every Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday until 30th October 2011.

Click here for timetable details.

For other bus services to Fountains Abbey please visit the DalesBus website.

Swaledale Service 30

Sat, 16 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +0100

We are sorry to advise that Little Red Bus will no longer operate Swaledale service 30 (Richmond - Keld) after 16th April.

This service is currently operated under contract to North Yorkshire County Council, who have awarded the new contract to Dales & District.

The service will continue with minor changes to some times - for details please see the North Yorkshire Travel website.

We'd like to thank all our passengers for their custom, whilst we've been running this service.

Christmas Buses - Harrogate

Wed, 15 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Our services will be amended over the Christmas and New Year holiday period.

Our services (including Bowland Transit service B1 and Hawes Town and Villages Bus 113) will operate as follows:

Friday 24th December - Normal Service
Saturday 25th December - No Service
Sunday 26th December - No Service
Monday 27th December - No Service
Tuesday 28th December - No Service
Wednesday 29th December - Normal Service
Thursday 30th December - Normal Service
Friday 31st December - Normal Service
Saturday 1st January - No Service
Sunday 2nd January - No Service
Monday 3rd January - No Service
Tuesday 4th January - Normal Service

In the event of adverse weather conditions please give us a call on 01423 526655 to check how our buses are running.

Little Red Bus wish all our customers a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Skipton Dial-a-Ride

Mon, 06 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Little Red Bus are pleased to announce the launch of a new Dial-a-Ride bus service in the Skipton area on 6th December 2010.

The new service will provide links to Skipton Town Centre every Monday from Greenacres Estate, Princes Drive / Regent Drive, Overdale Court, the Shortbank Road / Hurrs Road /Moorview Way area, Greatwood & Horseclose Estate and Otley Road.

Anyone can use this service. To book your journey please telephone 01756 795666. Please book by 12 noon on the Friday before you want to travel if possible, but if you are unable to book a day in advance, we will try our best to accommodate a later booking.

Our buses are equipped with lifts, so we are able to take wheelchair using passengers and passengers who are not able to manage steps.

Download information leaflet (PDF file).

Gargrave Dial-a-Ride

Tue, 02 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Little Red Bus launched a new door-to-door dial-a-ride service in the Craven area on Tuesday November 2nd 2010.

It provides transport to Skipton for residents in Gargrave, Eshton, Newfield, Airton, Bell Busk and Coniston Cold who are unable to use other bus services.

The vehicles are equipped with lifts, so can take wheelchairs and passengers who are not able to manage steps.

Seats need to be booked in advance and the service will operate every Tuesday morning.

Click here for further information.

Mon, 01 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Our Autumn 2010 newsletter is now available with all the latest news from Little Red Bus in Harrogate.

You can read about our new Travel Club, providing day trips and weekly outings, as well as Harrogate Borough Council's concessionary fares consultation, our green initiatives and our user group.

Download newsletter.

Travel club launched

Mon, 01 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Little Red Bus have developed a range of scheduled day trips and regular weekly outings for members to take so that you can explore our local area, have lunch, play bingo and maybe do some shopping. You are free to make individual bookings or group bookings if your group/society would like to arrange a sociable day out. Our range of buses, which can accommodate from just four people up to 55 people, are fully accessible and can accommodate wheelchairs, and pushchairs!

All our drivers are friendly, helpful and professionally trained.

Download Travel Club Programme and Booking Form

Social Enterprise Mark

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Harrogate District Community Transport (Little Red Bus), has been awarded the Social Enterprise Mark. The award is in recognition of the company's sustainable model of providing local, integrated community transport across the region. This comes hot on the heels of the Harrogate-based company being awarded "Social Enterprise of the Year North Yorkshire" in 2008.

Since its inception in 1987, the Little Red Bus has been a wonderful success story within North Yorkshire, and has successfully developed an integrated transport model working in partnership with other community-based transport providers across the Harrogate, Craven and Ryedale, Richmondshire and Hambleton areas. Little Red Bus and its partners provide transport solutions for North Yorkshire County Council, PCTs, schools and colleges, as well as running a demand-led service for those in more remote, inaccessible rural areas not covered by commercial transport services. This was largely funded by Futurebuilders England and NYCC.

Lyn Costelloe, Chief Executive of Little Red Bus, commented, "It is great to receive the Social Enterprise Mark. It shows both our customers, and the public in general, that we are committed to providing a sustainable service and are trading solely to benefit our community, with a strong environmental focus."

The Little Red Bus Partnership is playing a major role in the coordination and integration of community and public transport in North Yorkshire. Recent investment in a tailor-made scheduling software system enables the company to create a streamlined and efficient service that can integrate bookings from a wide variety of sourcesfrom local authority commissioned services to ad hoc bookings from individuals without any access to public transport.

Keith Halstead, Chief Executive of the Community Transport Association UK, said "The Social Enterprise Mark demonstrates that Little Red Bus is well placed to respond to the government's Big Society agenda. As public services are opened up to new providers like social enterprises, Little Red Bus is able to offer innovation, diversity and responsiveness to local need."

Lucy Findlay, Managing Director of the Social Enterprise Mark board adds, "We are thrilled that the Little Red Bus has achieved the Social Enterprise Mark. It will show all their customers that they are in business to benefit people and planet, rather than maximising profits for shareholders or owners. The big yellow logo on all their buses will prove to the people of Harrogate that they are different."

Visit the Squirrels by Bus

Wed, 02 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0100

There's an easy new way to visit the red squirrel viewpoint in the Widdale Red Squirrel Reserve.

Little Red Bus, in conjunction with the Yorkshire Dales National Park, are providing a handy bus link from Hawes National Park Centre on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Why not take the bus and enjoy a 2.5 mile circular walk, taking in the red squirrel viewpoint, or walk to Snaizeholme following the red squirrel trail and catch the bus back (approx 6 miles)?

Free trail maps are available from the bus driver!

The bus will only run if you have booked a seat. To book call in at Hawes National Park Centre or phone 01969 666210.

Bus Times

Wednesdays

Dep.	Hawes National Park Centre	11:00
Arr.	Snaizeholme	11:15

Dep.	Snaizeholme	13:10
Arr.	Hawes National Park Centre	13:25

Saturdays

Dep.	Hawes National Park Centre	13:00
Arr.	Snaizeholme	13:15

Dep.	Snaizeholme	15:10
Arr.	Hawes National Park Centre	15:25

The bus will only run if you have booked a seat. To book call in at Hawes National Park Centre or phone 01969 666210.

Please note that English National Concessionary Passes are not valid on this special service.

Malham Area Changes

Mon, 24 May 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Our service between Settle and Malham changed to provide a flexible pre-bookable service on Mondays to Fridays from 1st June 2010.

Service 590, which ran on Thursdays and Fridays, was withdrawn after operation on 28th May 2010, and was replaced by the flexible service.

Other services in the area, including our Monday, Wednesday and Friday service from Skipton to Malham continue unchanged.

Download Malham Area Bus Timetable

Bowland Transit

Mon, 10 May 2010 00:00:00 +0100

There are some minor changes to the timetable on Bowland Transit service B1 running between Horton-in-Ribblesdale, Settle and Slaidburn from 10th May 2010 as follows:

- the 1410 bus from Slaidburn to Settle extends to Horton in Ribblesdale, leaving Settle at 1445.

- the 1450 pre-bookable journey from Settle to Horton-in-Ribblesdale is replaced by the journey above. This journey runs five minutes earlier than previously, and no longer needs to be booked in advance.

- the 1815 bus from Horton-in-Ribblesdale now runs only as far as Settle.

For further information please contact Little Red Bus on 01423 526655.

South Craven Village Bus

Thu, 29 Apr 2010 00:00:00 +0100

The South Craven village bus service has changed from 4th May 2010.

The service operated by Little Red Bus now operates entirely as an advance-booking "flexi service".

Anyone can use the bus and the aim is to enhance the existing public transport network and not to compete with it.

On Mondays to Fridays between 9am and 2.45pm, passengers can book the bus to travel anywhere in the Cowling, Lothersdale, Glusburn, Sutton, Cross Hills, Kildwick, Farnhill and Bradley areas and to Skipton for shopping, social activities and appointments.

The Little Red Bus will try to meet all transport requests, so passengers are asked to give as much notice as possible, and journeys must be booked in advance phone 01756 795666.

Fares are similar to other local bus services and concessionary bus passes are valid for free travel.

There are no longer any fixed timetable journeys on this service.

Click here for further information.

Car Scheme drivers Required

Sun, 04 Apr 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Car Scheme Volunteers required.

Volunteers play a key role in the provision of Community Transport services and we are keen to attract new people to help us serve the community of Ryedale,.

Ryedale car scheme volunteer drivers provide over 16,000 passenger journeys every year for those people from our community who experience difficulty getting out and about to such places as the locals Surgery, hospital appointments, shopping, visiting family and friends etc.

Ryecat is looking for anyone over the age of 21 who is interested in driving for the Ryedale car scheme.We are particularly short of drivers in the Pickering area.

Volunteers who drive fot Ryecat use their own car and are paid a mileage allowance to cover running costs and fuel.

For more information about becoming a volunteer driver please call us on 01653 699059.

Ripon Roweller Changes

Thu, 01 Apr 2010 00:00:00 +0100

From 19th April 2010 the Monday to Saturday buses on the Ripon Roweller service will be operated by Dales & District, with a revised timetable.

Little Red Bus will no longer provide these services, as our contract with North Yorkshire County Council has come to an end.

Details of the revised timetable are available from Dales & District.

Little Red Bus will continue to provide the Summer Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday shuttle service from Ripon to Fountains Abbey - click here for details of this service.

Little Red Bus would like to thank our customers on the weekday services for their support since the establishment of the Ripon Roweller several years ago.

Volunteer Minibus Drivers

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

RYECAT are looking for Volunteer Minibus drivers to take small groups of people on regular shopping trips to several places within an easy 90 minute drive of Malton & Pickering.

We will provide new drivers with training on the nationally recognised Minibus Driver Awareness Scheme (MIDAS).

Volunteering , a road to employment.

Being a volunteer driver may also open the door to a new career ......

Across the region there is a shortage of experienced drivers in the passenger transport industry and commercial operators spend vast amounts training new drivers to PCV (Passnger Carrying Vehicle) test standards.

Having some previous experience driving minibuses and holding a MIDAS certificate could give you a distinct advantage when applying for a job.

For more information about volunteering all you need to do is call RYECAT on 01653 699059.

Funding boost to Car Scheme

Mon, 04 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0000

RYECAT have been successful in negotiating additional funding from NYCC Social Services.

This funding has been specifically awarded by Social Services to enable RYECAT to extend the Car scheme booking line opening house, so that bookings can be taken from 09.00hrs until 17.00hrs Monday to Thursdays and 09.00hrs until 16.00 hrs on Fridays.

This extension to the hours will improve the service RYECAT can offer to people requiring Community Transport

4Youth Travel

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0000

4Youth Travel provides a transport service in Lower Nidderdale for young people in school year 8 and above providing them with access to youth facilities and provision at Hampsthwaite Youth Club.

4Youth Travel currently consists of a return journey on a Thursday evening with pick-ups in Birstwith, Burnt Yates and Killinghall. The project is a multi-agency initiative and fully supported by Harrogate & District Strategic Partnership and is operated by NYCC 4Youth Service in partnership with the Little Red Bus Service.

The transport has a trained driver and an experienced Youth Worker to support the young people on the minibus, escort them into the destination youth club/centre and return with them on the minibus to ensure they arrive back safely. The driver and youth worker both carry identification.

First time travelling is FREE, but the usual cost for the transport is £1 per person for a return journey with free access to the Youth Club/Centre on arrival, unless otherwise stated.

All young people using "4Youth Travel" need to be registered before travelling.

This pilot initiative currently only operates on a Thursday evening, and its success could lead to us providing more services to other venues and activities e.g. sport, on other nights.

Click here for further details. (PDF file)

For more information and a registration form please contact 4Youth Service Harrogate West area office: 01609 533927 / 533930 or 0845 300 2417. If leaving a message please leave your postal address and contact number and the information will be sent in the post to you.

Richmond Theatre Bus

Sat, 12 Sep 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Georgie, the Little Red Bus, is preparing for twelve exciting outings this Autumn.

Thanks to funding by North Yorkshire County Council the Little Red Bus Company and the Georgian Theatre Royal Richmond have teamed up to provide cheap public transport to selected shows this Autumn.

Georgie will bring audiences from Wensleydale to Richmond for a bargain £5 booked in advance at the theatre box office on 01748 825252.

Georgie calls at Hawes Market Place, Burtersett, Bainbridge (Green), Thornton Rust, Aysgarth (Memorial), Swinithwaite, West Witton, Wensley, Leyburn Market Place, Bellerby and Downholme before reaching Richmond's theatre in time for a performance.

Passengers benefit from a sociable and relaxed start to their night out without any petrol, parking or drink-driving worries. The bus can be used specifically for the theatre, or to enable passengers to enjoy any other entertainment in town. Georgie's first outing is on Saturday 20^th September when he leaves Hawes at 6pm, and gathers passengers along the route to Richmond in time for the 7.30 performance of Not About Heroes, the moving story of war poets Wilfred Owen and Siegfried Sassoon by Stephen MacDonald.

Business Development Manager Barry Allen said, "Our first passengers have booked up already after spotting the bus details on our website. Although they live in Dorset, they will be on holiday in Wensleydale and wanted to visit the theatre. We hope locals will use this service too why not organise a group trip without the hassle of driving?"

Anyone wishing to use this service must book with the Box Office who will advise the exact pick-up and drop-off times. Georgie's 12 outings include selected evenings and matinees and a range of drama, comedy, music and panto.

Timetables are available from the Box Office on 01748 825252:

The full list of outings is:

Saturday 20^th Sept Not About Heroes Bus leaves Hawes at 6pm for 7.30pm show

Thursday 2nd October Mikron Theatre Company: Debtonation. Bus leaves Hawes at 6pm for 7.30pm show

Saturday 18th October Northern Broadsides: Accidental Death of an Anarchist - Bus leaves Hawes at 12.30pm for 2.30pm show

Saturday 25th October Funny Magnet Comedy Club - Bus leaves Hawes at 6pm for 8pm show

Friday 7th November RADS: Waiting for Godot - Bus leaves Hawes at 6pm for 7.30pm show

Saturday 15th November - Northern Broadsides: Heidi Bus leaves Hawes at 12.30pm for 2pm show

Thursday 20th November ROS: In Our Time - Bus leaves Hawes at 6pm for 7.30pm show

Wednesday 10^th December PANTO: The Sleeping Beauty - Bus leaves Hawes at 5.30pm for 7pm show

Sunday 14^th December PANTO: The Sleeping Beauty - Bus leaves Hawes at 12.30pm for 2pm show

Wednesday 17^th December PANTO: The Sleeping Beauty - Bus leaves Hawes at 12.30pm for 2.30pm show

Thursday 18^th December PANTO: The Sleeping Beauty - Bus leaves Hawes at 12.30pm for 2.30pm show

More connections to Hawes

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0100

A revised timetable was introduced on the Hawes Village Bus service from 10th August 2009.

The new times provide better connections at Garsdale Station on the famous Leeds-Settle-Carlisle railway line.

Click here for further details about the service.

Vacancies at Little Red Bus

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Little Red Bus are currently looking for PCV Drivers to join our team in Harrogate.

Please see our vacancies page for full details.

Driver CPC training

Sat, 24 Jan 2009 00:00:00 +0000

The Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) is the qualification required by all bus, coach and lorry drivers who drive professionally.

From September 2008 existing drivers (Passenger Transport Sector) are required to attend a minimum of 35 hours (5 training days) approved training within five years. The Road Haulage Sector's training will come into effect from September 2009.

Little Red Bus is able to help you get that training. . . . .

We can offer you or your company expert training by accredited trainers, with courses running throughout the year at our newly developed training facilities in Killinghall, Harrogate.

We also offer MiDAS, PCV D and D1 training.

Please contact us on 01423 724 557 or 01423 724 554 for more information or email: cindy@littleredbus.co.uk or pamela@littleredbus.co.uk

The ryepod has landed!

Tue, 08 Jan 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Joint initiative to create mobile resource for Ryedale

North Yorkshire County Council 4Youth, Ryedale District Council, Ryedale Voluntary Action and RYECAT Community Transport have been working together to develop a ground breaking new project that is designed to take services out into the rural communities of Ryedale.

The substantial financial support of the County & District Councils and Lloyds TSB provided over £100,000 to commission the vehicle and equipment.

The project has been named RYEPOD, and has been designed to accommodate a wide range of activities from mobile youth club to information centers.

The focus of the project is a large custom built vehicle specifically designed for use as a community resource, able to provide youth clubs, staging music events, Information services, outreach/training, village fetes and galas, mobile health services and clinics.

RYEPOD has been fitted out with five separate areas:

An interview room that doubles up as a kitchen.
A seating area with a large screen TV DVD player and removable table
A working area where people can sit and use lap top computers.
Outside there is a large awning on either side, which effectively trebles the available useable space. There are also a bank of built in playstations and DVD players.

RYEPOD will be used by 4Youth on three days a week to establish youth clubs in rural communities and also available for hire to community groups and other organisations.

The project will be officially launched by Janet Waggott (chief executive RDC) on Janury10th at Malton/Norton Rugby club.

As a major funder of this project the County Council are pleased to have played a central part in developing this new and exciting resource for Ryedale, which will enable service delivery to reach out in a real and tangible way to some of the most rural and remote locations.
North Yorkshire County Council spokesperson

Ryedale District Council are extremely pleased to be able to support and sponsor this innovative project. This initiative will enable a number of people to access services and opportunities which previously would have been difficult. Community transport is a priority for Ryedale and the Local Strategic Partnership and this will be a real benefit to a lot of people in the rural areas of Ryedale. A lot of work has been put into this over a long period of time and I am extremely pleased that people are going to get the benefit of this hard work.
Janet Waggott Chief executive Ryedale District Council

This project will require the professional expertise of the RYECAT team to ensure that it is made available to the widest possible audience. RYECATs role is to take bookings, provide an experienced driver operator and ensure that the vehicle is maintained to the highest standards at all times. The long term sustainability of the project depends on generating additional income by hiring ryepod to the greatest number of communities when it isnt being used by 4 Youth. RYECAT are very keen to see RYEPOD working out in the rural communities where many people experience great difficulty in accessing services.
K Watherington (RYECAT CEO) Dec 2007

Paperworks

Wed, 05 Dec 2007 00:00:00 +0000

Paperworks was founded in 1994 in response to the Government's Care In The Community initiative, Paperworks, a limited company, provides crucial work experience and training to people with a range of learning or physical disabilities.

The Little Red Bus were so impressed with the work that Paperworks done for us that we invited them to come back. Three trainees have been going every Tuesday morning and valetting the inside of our buses. Keep an eye out for the buses which have been "Cleaned by Paperworks". You'll see a poster on the back of the bus!

The Compact agreement

Fri, 23 Nov 2007 00:00:00 +0000

CTA Journal Report Nov/Dec 07

The Compact is an agreement between government and the voluntary and community sector which sets out the "rules of engagement" for how they should work together.

To view the full story, please click on the link below.

CTA Compact Article.pdf

Maintaining your minibus(es)

Fri, 23 Nov 2007 00:00:00 +0000

Article from the CTA journal Nov/Dec 07

For safety and legal reasons you MUST maintain your vehicles properly. This requires planning. The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA), in its Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness, sets out certain criteria which have to be met by public service vehicle (PSV) operators.

The CTA recommends that community transport operators establish a clear system of regulr maintenance in order to ensure that all staff and volunteers know what their responsibilities are - and to enable remedial action to be taken when problems occur.

To view this article in full, please click on the link below.

CTA Doc Maintenance.pdf

Campaign for better transport

Thu, 22 Nov 2007 00:00:00 +0000

The Campaign for better transport has been around since 1973. They have helped to create transport policies and programmes that give people better lives. Working nationally and locally, collectively and as individuals, through high-level lobbying and strong public campaigning, they make good transport ideas a reality and stop bad ones from happening.

To view further details of The Campaign for Better Transport, please click on the link below.

www.bettertransport.org.uk

CTA maps out CT operators

Thu, 22 Nov 2007 00:00:00 +0000

The CTA will launch its first comprehensive online directory of community transport organisations in England at CTA 2007.

The www.A2Binfo.net website will enable people to find their nearest local community transport organisation by clicking on their county on a map of England.

Users can narrow their search by typing what kind of transport they are looking for. The free-to-use site will summarise each transport provider's specialised client groups and services.

The site which was funded by a £231,000 Department for Transport grant, currently contains details of around 1,000 community transport operators.

The concept was originally developed by nine county councils in the Midlands before the CTA began its research in October 2006. Next year, the database will include organisations in Wales and it is hoped that funding will be found to duplicate the idea in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Volunteer car schemes

Thu, 22 Nov 2007 00:00:00 +0000

Article from the CTA Journal Nov/Dec 07

All over the country - often in rural areas, but in cities too - there are people who don't have ready access to transport. In such instances, families and nother members of the community often step in to help, on a volunteer basis.

In many communities, this kind of help has gone a step further and has developed into an organised scheme. These volunteer car schemes exist up and down the country and might be made up of a handful or a hundred volunteer drivers.

To view this article in full please click on the link below.

CTA Doc Over the Hills.pdf

Taking a new route

Wed, 21 Nov 2007 00:00:00 +0000

Back in June, Little Red Bus featured prominently in the CTA Journal.

In the article, Little Red Bus discussed how various funding, grants and a Futurebuilders loan gave the organisation the breathing space to pursue ideas, develop its infrastructure, grow the entertprise and ultimately, provide transport to people who would otherwise be isolated without it.

To view the article in full, please click on the link below.

CTA Journal MayJune 07.pdf

Little Red Bus network launch

Mon, 09 Jul 2007 00:00:00 +0100

The Little Red Bus network is celebrating the progress it has made since receiving its Futurebuilder investment in August last year. A launch event is planned at the new offices in Harrogate on Monday 9 July.

All partners, suppliers and other agencies who have helped to develop the network have been invited to view, first hand what has been achieved so far, and to share in the networks vision for the future.

The story
The Little Red Bus network has secured a significant investment from Futurebuilders England. £1,023,000 has been made available to provide the infrastructure to create the capacity that will enable them to become sustainable, whilst at the same time delivering better public service.

The partners
In April 2006, Futurebuilders England announced its first major investment in the community transport sector. Harrogate District Community Transport and its partners, RYECAT Ltd and Bentham Community Transport, had bid for a total of just over a million pounds, mostly in the form of a loan and a lease guarantee.

This financial package will play a vital role in the delivery of an integrated passenger transport model in North Yorkshire. It will improve the provision of education, social care, health and public transport services and secure the sustainability of community transport in the area.

The strategy
A Community Transport Strategy was adopted by North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC) and other stakeholders in 2004, following a period of consultation with all stakeholders and development work by consultants, Richard Armitage Transport Consultancy and TAS Partnership. The strategy proposed that key, larger, community-based transport organisations should, by adopting a social enterprise approach, combine community operations and support of smaller organisations with the delivery of public sector transport services.

The investor
Futurebuilders England is the government backed £125 million investment fund to help the voluntary and community sector deliver better public services. The fund provides a combination of loans, grants and capacity building support for organisations that deliver public services. The loan is always the largest part of any full investment and organisations repay it by forming contracts with public sector agencies such as local authorities or Primary Care Trusts.

Futurebuilders invests in a range of organisations including charities, social enterprises, community interest companies, voluntary groups and community organisations. It offers investment packages to organisations that are delivering services, or would like to deliver services, in one or more of the following five public service areas: children and young people, community cohesion, crime, health, and education and learning.

The launch
This launch of the Little Red Bus integrated transport operation will enable attendees to see at first hand the delivery model, how it is being adopted and how it is being implemented in practice. They will also learn how Little Red Bus partners are helping to provide and improve statutory and public transport services in the county.

Futurebuilders will explain why they supported the bid, why the concept works and how they think they are doing so far.

NYCC and Yorkshire and Humber Assembly will explain to transport, social care and healthcare commissioners how this fits in with the wider transport network and how they can benefit from this and similar investments. Members of Local Strategic Partnerships and social enterprises may wish to encourage this type of growth and development.

A fresh new look

Fri, 06 Jul 2007 00:00:00 +0100

The Little Red Bus network is moving forward with a new logo that reflects the new professional and progressive image of the operation as it grows from strength to strength

The rebranding of the Little Red Bus networks fleet is now almost complete and all of the network members have adopted the new logo.

Little Red Bus is now recognised as a quality mark of community services and the beginning of a new era of integrated community transport.

New mopeds arrive

Fri, 06 Jul 2007 00:00:00 +0100

Wheels to Work (moped loan) schemes are often the most effective way of targeting individual need where there is lack of access to employment, training and educational opportunities. The scheme should therefore be seen as complimentary to, and an integral part of a coherent transport strategy, operating in tandem with the conventional bus, rail, and community transport services. Conventional public transport, whilst recognized as the core element of any transport strategy, is not necessarily the most appropriate type of provision in every case. There is no single solution that meets everyones transport needs. The key to a successful transport strategy is to have a broad range of services available, from which the most appropriate service can be provided to meet the need.

Selby Wheels to Work Scheme was launched in 2001 as the second such scheme of its kind in the county, with eight mopeds. The fleet was increased to fifteen. And recently with additional funding from Coalfields Regeneration Trust to an optimum of twenty, with five being held in reserve to cope with excess demand and when mopeds are off the road for maintenance etc. Three schemes within North Yorkshire (Hambleton and Richmondshire; Ryedale and Scarborough; and Selby) have helped over six hundred young people in the past five years. The Selby scheme was merged with the Ryedale and Scarborough Wheels to Work Scheme in October 2006. A part time Co-ordinator for the Selby scheme is based locally.

The strength of the Wheels to Work scheme is that it gives people, particularly young people, that vital start along the way to independence, whilst at the same time widening the range of opportunities available to them. Particular problems arise where there are poor public transport links to or from places of employment, often due to shift patterns, or as a result of where people live.

Cross boundary travel to York, Leeds and Doncaster for work, education and training is a feature of the District. Access to key transport corridors at appropriate times is therefore essential for those living in Selby District who do not have access to private transport. Wheels 2 Work mopeds can be, and are, used to make that vital link between home and the public transport network for longer distance travel.

The scheme works on the basis that referrals are taken by the Co-ordinator from individuals or from organizations such as Job Centre Plus, Connexions, educational or training establishments. Users are only accepted onto the scheme after successful completion of Compulsory Basic Training, which is provided free of charge. Helmet, waterproofs, top box and fully comprehensive insurance are also provided free of charge to the user. Users pay £5 a week for up to six months hire of the moped, after which they are normally expected to have either made alternative travel arrangements or purchased a vehicle of their own. The number of mopeds is limited, and therefore acceptance onto the scheme is on the basis that there is no reasonable alternative means of transport available.

There are many hidden benefits of Wheels 2 Work schemes. Organizations such as Connexions and Job Centre Plus are assisted in meeting some of their targets. Young users derive valuable experience, often for the first time, in being responsible for regular payments and money management. They develop confidence, independence and road sense. Wheels to Work schemes have over the years built up strong partnerships with local garages, dealers and training organizations, making a positive contribution to the local economy.

Individuals become net contributors towards the economy, saving the Government £639 per month. (Evaluation of Wheels to Work Schemes, Steer, Davies, Gleave, April 2005)

Pass to freedom

Sun, 01 Jul 2007 00:00:00 +0100

Ryedale residents can now benefit from a new door-to-door public transport system. And if you have a concessionary bus pass this service is free.

Thanks from funding from Ryedale District Council, RYECAT Ryedales local community transport provider offers a new Ring & Ride service which is free to anyone with a concessionary bus pass.

Public transport in some areas of Ryedale is a very real issue, said Janet Waggott, Chief Executive of Ryedale District Council. We are continuing to work hard to address this issue and support for the ring & ride scheme is just one of the ways we can help.

The Ring & Ride scheme a minibus service serving Malton, Norton and the villages in the North Wolds area of Ryedale is available from 9am to 5pm, Mon to Fri for residents who do not have access to public or private transport.

Ring & Ride provides a door to door, accessible minibus service for people of all ages who find it very difficult to use ordinary public transport. It operates in Malton, Norton, Rillington, Scagglethorpe, Settrington, Birdsall, Burythorpe, Leavening, Kennythorpe, Langton, Westow, Bulmer and Welburn.

Ken Watherington, Chief Executive of RYECAT, said: This new service is the first in a series of similar services planned for rural Ryedale. The support of Ryedale District Council and the inclusion on the concessionary fares are important factors in the provision of accessible and affordable transport for those people who are unable to use or are not served by public transport. This service is planned to meet with other bus and rail services, enabling people living in rural areas to make that final connection between their homes and the wider world.

Travel on the Ring & Ride is free IF YOU HAVE A CONCESSIONARY BUS PASS or £1.50 for a single journey and £3.00 return.

Before booking a journey with Ring & Ride, you must contact the RYECAT offices on 01653 698888. If you are eligible, registration is simple, quick and cost £5.00 a year.

'Lifeline' service in cash hope

Mon, 22 Jan 2007 00:00:00 +0000

By Tom Stirling, Evening Press

A lifeline bus service connecting people across Ryedale is hoping to win fresh funding from the local authority so it can keep up its good work.

RYECAT, which is the district's only community transport operator, received £50,000 from Ryedale District Council between 2004 and 2006.

That deal, negotiated in April last year, is now up for approval by councillors for the next three years. Jos Holmes, cultural services manager at the council, urged councillors to do just that.

She said: "RYECAT has developed solidly and taken new initiatives over the last two years to improve community transport services in Ryedale."

Since 2005, Malton-based RYECAT has run five community transport projects in Ryedale and beyond:

Ryedale Car Scheme, which supplied 8,800 journeys with 50 volunteer drivers in 2005
Rural miles minibus brokerage, which supported 309 journeys, with 28 volunteer drivers in 2005
Wheels To Work, which operates a fleet of 23 mopeds in Ryedale and Whitby, and also runs services in Selby.
The Ryedale Rover minibus service RYECAT Driver Assessor and Training, which in 2005 trained 70 volunteer drivers in skills such as helping vulnerable passengers with special needs.
This month, RYECAT is also rolling out a new minibus service, dubbed the Ryedale Rover Ring & Ride, which operates Mon-Fri 9am-5pm as and when there is demand for it.

At a meeting of the district council's community services and licensing committee on Thursday, councillors will be asked to green light council funding for RYECAT to the tune of £50,000 a year through to 2009.

In April 2005, The Press reported the launch of RYECAT.
At the time, manager Ken Watherington said: "People with mobility problems often just can't go out. We give them the opportunity to get out into the community, even if it's just to the doctor."

RYECATs aim is "to provide a community transport service for such of the inhabitants of Ryedale, Scarborough and Whitby and Selby districts of North Yorkshire, who are in need of such service because of age, sickness or disability, poverty or because of a lack of availability of adequate and safe public passenger services".

Post script to the above article
The meeting of Ryedale District Councils community services and licensing committee approved the funding support for RYECAT through till 2009.

Lifeline thrown to villagers

Mon, 01 Jan 2007 00:00:00 +0000

As featured in the Malton Mercury

A NEW ring-and-ride bus service was launched on Monday for people who do not have access to public or private transport.

RYECAT, the Malton-based community transport provider, is introducing the service to ease pressure on the Ryedale Car Scheme. It will cover Malton, Norton and villages in the Wolds between 9am and 5pm so people can get into town centers for shopping and appointments at doctors, dentists and the hospital.

Ken Watherington, RYECAT manager, said: "We have operated the car scheme for a number of years and recently demand has begun to outstrip resources. As a result, it is becoming more and more difficult to meet the needs of our clients.

"The introduction of the Ring and Ride will improve the transport availability for all of our customers and also reduce the cost of journeys. The service will free up volunteer car scheme drivers to undertake longer, medically-related journeys."

To use the service, which is receiving funding from Ryedale District and North Yorkshire County Councils, residents first need to register with RYECAT on (01653) 699059. When they want to use the service, they should ring the booking line on (01653) 698888 giving 24 hours' notice.

Little Red Bus News

Fountains Abbey Shuttle

Bowland Transit Changes

Bentham Railway Station

Wennington Dial-a-Ride

Ride around for a pound!

Hawes Village Bus

Malham Tarn Shuttle

Buses to Fountains Abbey

Swaledale Service 30

Christmas Buses - Harrogate

Skipton Dial-a-Ride

Gargrave Dial-a-Ride

Newsletter

Travel club launched

Social Enterprise Mark

Visit the Squirrels by Bus

Malham Area Changes

Bowland Transit

South Craven Village Bus

Car Scheme drivers Required

Ripon Roweller Changes

Volunteer Minibus Drivers

Funding boost to Car Scheme

4Youth Travel

Richmond Theatre Bus

More connections to Hawes

Vacancies at Little Red Bus

Driver CPC training

The ryepod has landed!

Paperworks

The Compact agreement

Maintaining your minibus(es)

Campaign for better transport

CTA maps out CT operators

Volunteer car schemes

Taking a new route

Little Red Bus network launch

A fresh new look

New mopeds arrive

Pass to freedom

'Lifeline' service in cash hope

Lifeline thrown to villagers