Little Red Bus News

Volunteer Car/Minibus Scheme

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0000

We have been successful in getting funding from LEADER and LSP programmes to expand our successful car scheme to cover the whole of Craven.

There are already some excellent car schemes in Craven, and we want to work with them while filling in the gaps in provision.

If you are interested in driving your own car to take passengers to appointments, wait for them and take them home, please get in touch with us on 01756 795666 or 015242 62753, or e-mail lin@benthamct.co.uk

Service 144

Sun, 13 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0000

From 13th December 2009 the peak-time journeys on service 144 operated by Dales & District are withdrawn.

All the daytime journeys run by Little Red Bus continue unchanged.

The only journeys affected are the 0745 from Masham to Bedale and the 1735 from Bedale to Masham.

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.

Grassington Link

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100

We regret to advise that Grassington Link services 11 and 12 were withdrawn after operation on 16th October 2009. Little Red Bus have sadly lost the contract to operate a school service which interworked with these routes, and it is not viable to continue them on their own.

Little Red Bus apologises for the inconvenience caused, and would like to thank our passengers for their custom.

Little Red Bus' demand responsive services in the Upper Wharfedale area continue unchanged.

Seasonal Bus Services

Sun, 27 Sep 2009 00:00:00 +0100

The Summer Sunday and Bank Holiday bus link from Ripon to Fountains Abbey has now finished for the 2009 season.

It is hoped a similar service will operate in 2010, details will be posted here when available.

In the meantime the Monday to Saturday service continues unchanged.

Click here to download timetable.

Little Red Bus will unfortunately not be running the Summer Sunday and Bank Holiday Ingleborough Pony service in 2009. This service was successfully launched by Little Red Bus in 2008, but this year will be run by a different operator.

Click here for further details.

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.

South Craven Village Bus

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 00:00:00 +0100

The South Craven village bus service has extended its coverage.

The service operated by Little Red Bus now has elements of an advance-booking "flexi service" as well as fixed routes running to timetables.

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

On Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 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.

On Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays the bus operates to a fixed timetable and there's no need to book in advance.

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

Click here for further details.

New flexible bus services

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Little Red Bus now operates a range of flexible, pre-bookable bus services in Craven.

These flexible services should normally be booked at least 24 hours in advance. We will consider any journey requests in the relevant areas, and can provide a door to door service if required.

Fares are similar to those on other local bus services and English National Concessionary OAP passes are valid for free off-peak travel.

Our flexible services currently operate in the following areas:

South Craven (Cowling, Lothersdale, Cross Hills, Sutton, Kildwick, Glusburn, Farnhill, Bradley, Skipton)

Settle/Malham (Austwick, Feizor, Langcliffe, Rathmell, Giggleswick, Settle, Lawkland, Wigglesworth, Malham Tarn, Malham)

Upper Wharfedale (Arncliffe, Cray, Hubberholme, Grassington)

We also run the North Craven Taxibus in the Settle area.

More Buses to Malham

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Several new bus services have recently been introduced providing links to and from the popular village of Malham, in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays service 211 runs between Skipton and Malham, providing useful links for local residents and visitors.

On Thursdays and Fridays service 590 runs between Giggleswick, Settle and Malham.

There's no need to book in advance to use services 211 and 590.

Flexible bus services are available in the Malham area on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays between 09.30 and 11.30, and again between 13.00 and 14.30. To book on this service call 01524 262753 at least 24 hours in advance.

There's also a flexible shopper service to Settle on Tuesdays. To book on this service call 01756 795666 at least 24 hours in advance.

The fares on all these services are similar to other local bus services, and concessionary passes are valid for free travel.

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.

Craven are looking for relief drivers, phone 01756 795666 for details.

Bentham Railway Station

Sat, 21 Feb 2009 00:00:00 +0000

After moving in last year we are now well settled in our new home. We have worked with Northern Rail over the past year and the station is looking lovely and regenerated.

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

New buses for Craven

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Eight new buses have arrived together as part of a £700,000 investment by North Yorkshire County Council and Yorkshire Forward. County Councillor Clare Wood, North Yorkshire's executive member for public passenger transport has officially handed over keys for eight new minibuses to Lin Barrington of Bentham Community Transport at Settle Station.

This is the latest part of the 'Craven Hubs' project the County Council is delivering in partnership with Yorkshire Forward and Craven District Council.

"Craven Hubs" aims to improve access to services for people by investing in community transport services, and developing Bentham and Settle, together with Skipton, as transport hubs.

Last year 200 guests gathered to mark the re-opening and dedication of the newly refurbished Station buildings at Bentham. This now provides new offices for Bentham Community Transport and a superb youth café offering young people a venue to get together in safety and comfort. Improvement work at Settle Station, funded by the project, has also been completed.

North Yorkshire Council Council has been working with Bentham Community Transport and the Little Red Bus consortium and is impressed by the effort and achievement of the partnership and pleased to provide funding for this initiative.

Cllr Clare Wood said: "This is an exciting project. Transport is incredibly important to enable people to get to the essential services they need and these new buses, together with the improvements to Bentham and Settle stations can only be of benefit to residents and visitors of Craven. The project has been operating since April 2008, and passenger numbers are continuing to increase. It has taken a lot of hard work to get to this stage, and I am confident the project will go from strength to strength".

Settle area changes

Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Bowland Transit service B1, which runs from Slaidburn to Settle, is changed from 6th October 2008.

A new timetable has been introduced, with most journeys extending to Langcliffe, Stainforth and Horton in Ribblesdale, replacing service 581.

Connections are still available to/from Clitheroe at Slaidburn on service B10, but a new timetable has also been introduced on this service.

Click here to download the new timetable as a PDF file.

No change at Little Red Bus

Mon, 20 Oct 2008 00:00:00 +0100

Little Red Bus, operated by Bentham Community Transport, would like to reassure all our customers that their services will not be affected by the funding difficulties currently being experienced by Craven Little Red Bus, as reported in the local press. Craven Little Red Bus, based in Skipton, is a separate organisation to Bentham Community Transport and Harrogate Little Red Bus.

All our local bus services (including the recently-extended Slaidburn Settle Horton in Ribblesdale service), demand-responsive services (including the South Craven Village Bus) and school buses will continue unchanged.

Here at Little Red Bus in Bentham we are also doing all we can to minimise the impact for customers of Craven Little Red Bus, and hope to be able to cover most of the dial-a-ride services which Craven Little Red Bus is unable to operate. Details will be available shortly.

Bowland Transit

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 00:00:00 +0100

Major changes were made to the Bowland Transit bus service from 6th October 2008.

The service now operates as follows:

Service B10 running as a circular service from Clitheroe via Whitewell, Dunsop Bridge, Newton, Slaidburn, Newton and Waddington back to Clitheroe.
Service B11 running as a circular service from Clitheroe via Waddington, Newton, Slaidburn, Newton, Dunsop Bridge, Whitewell and back to Clitheroe.
Service B1 running between Slaidburn, Settle and Horton in Ribblesdale

Services B10 and B11, operated by Tyrer, each run approximately every two hours on Mondays to Saturday daytimes, providing one bus every hour between Clitheroe and Slaidburn.

Service B1, operated by Little Red Bus, runs four or five journeys each way on Mondays to Saturdays, connecting at Slaidburn with service B10.

Click here to download the new service B1 timetable as a PDF file.

Click here to download the new Bowland Transit network timetable as a PDF file.

London Dial-a-Ride

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0100

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson has announced that 61 new, custom-built Dial-a-Ride minibuses will be introduced across London this year, improving door to door transport services for tens of thousands of older or disabled Londoners who cannot easily use public transport.

Transport for London (TfL) has already begun replacing the ageing fleet of Dial-a-Ride vehicles, but these are the first to be purpose-built for the fleet. Dial-a-Ride passengers and drivers have been closely involved in developing the new bus, manufactured by Bluebird, to ensure it meets passengers' diverse needs. The £3.9 million TfL has invested in these vehicles is part of a long-term programme to improve door to door services in the Capital.

Mayor Boris Johnson said: "Dial-a-Ride really is a lifeline for tens of thousands of Londoners for whom getting around the city is a challenge, and these custom-built buses will help to change for the better the service that we offer.

"The forthcoming Paralympics will remind us of just some of the fantastic achievements of disabled people, and prompt us to think about how we can make our city accessible for everyone to enjoy."

Mike Weston, Operations Director for TfL Surface Transport, said: "Dial-a-Ride provides a vital service to those people who can't access mainstream public transport in London. These new vehicles should make our customers' journeys much more pleasant.

"Having involved passengers and drivers in developing and customising the new Dial-a-Ride vehicle, we know we're providing what our customers want. We hope the promise of more comfortable trips will encourage new passengers to try Dial-a-Ride in 2008 and beyond."

The new vehicle from Bluebird is a purpose-built, small bus with a totally flat low floor and dual access at the side and rear of the vehicle. Tip and fold seats will allow wheelchair users to manoeuvre around the vehicle much more easily; they will also provide greater flexibility for accommodating individual passengers' needs. The new bus also offers a much improved interior, including high levels of interior lighting, tinted windows and air conditioning, plus onboard CCTV for added safety and security.

Older Dial-a-Ride vehicles will be phased out as the new vehicles go into service. With the older models, customers found the seats narrow, the seatbelts difficult to use, and they found there wasn't enough legroom, particularly for those with arthritis or restricted movement.

Ingleborough Pony

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0100

The Ingleborough Pony is an experimental new Sunday bus service, linking rail stations and car parks along the south of the National Park along the A65, to provide a service especially for walkers to and around Ingleborough National Nature Reserve. Ingleborough Pony service 888 will run every Sunday and Bank Holiday until 28th September 2008.

Named in tribute to the traditional breed of pony that once worked in the lead mines of the Northern Dales and in packhorse trains to provide essential goods and services to Dales communities, the Ingleborough Pony is an environmentally efficient bus service which connects car parks, rail stations and walking routes.

The Pony gives superb new opportunities for linear walks across Yorkshire's most famous mountain. It is also planned to encourage walkers to leave their cars at home, by providing a direct link with the famous scenic Settle-Carlisle railway line at Ribblehead to give car-free access to the heart of the National Park - and equality of opportunity for visitors, young and old, without access to a car. There's also a direct link from Clapham Station on the Morecambe Line as well as from Ribblehead to Ingleton with its famous Waterfalls Walk and White Scar Caves.

The bus also connects at Ribblehead Station with Wensleydale Explorer Bus 807 to/from Aysgarth and Hawes. Any single journey on the Ingleborough Pony is just £1, children half price.

The Ingleborough Pony bus service has been devised by the Dales & Bowland Community Interest Company with funding from the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority's Sustainable Development Fund and Natural England.

Grassington Link

Sun, 01 Jun 2008 00:00:00 +0100

The Grassington Link bus service between Long Ashes/Grassington and Ripon/Harrogate has been improved.

Service 11 to Harrogate will now also run in the school holidays on Tuesdays, and service 12 to Ripon will also run in the school holidays on Thursdays.

On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays service 11 to Harrogate will continue to operate during school terms only.

Fountains Abbey Shuttle

Thu, 01 May 2008 00:00:00 +0100

The National Trust at Fountains Abbey has provided funding to run a shuttle bus service between Ripon and Fountains on Sundays and Bank Holidays during 2008.

The service is timed to meet the number 36 bus to and from Harrogate and Leeds, making it really easy for visitors to get to Fountains Abbey on public transport. The overall aim of the service is to get more people leaving their cars behind and coming to Fountains by bus.

This will cut down on car congestion in the area and protect the environment, as well as providing an attractive travel option as petrol and diesel prices continue to soar.

As a further incentive to travel by bus, adults will receive a discount of half price entry to the World Heritage Site of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, if a valid bus ticket for the date of their visit is shown at admission points.

Chris Fowler, General Manager at Fountains Abbey said: We are delighted to be able support a service that allows people to enjoy the outstanding natural beauty and heritage of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal whilst supporting the environment. Caring for the environment and finding ways to combat climate change are real issues for The National Trust and its important for us to help where we can with plans for long term sustainability."

Until Sunday 26th October, the service will run approximately hourly throughout the day on Sundays and Bank Holidays.

The Ripon Roweller service will also run as previous years from Monday to Saturday and the half price admission offer will also be available on these days, see www.dalesbus.org for details or telephone Traveline on 0871 200 22 33.

It is hoped that the service will go a long way towards cutting down on the volume of traffic through the surrounding roads, helping to cut down on pollution in the area, as well as making the roads safer and more pleasant for walkers and cyclists.

The Ripon Roweller Fountains Abbey Shuttle Bus service, funded by the National Trust, is supported by the Dales and Bowland Community Interest Company and is operated by Little Red Bus.

For further information on the service or to request a timetable visit www.dalesbus.org or telephone Little Red Bus on 01423 526655.

Service 144

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:00:00 +0100

Little Red Bus have taken over the operation of most journeys on route 144 between Masham and Bedale.

A new timetable has been introduced, with connections available at Bedale to/from Northallerton on service 73.

The service operates with financial support from North Yorkshire County Council.

Download timetable

Office

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 00:00:00 +0000

We don't let the weather get us down and anyone visiting our office will see our spring window boxes which seem to defy all attempts by the weather to hurt them.

Spring is definitely on its way!

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

Market day changes

Tue, 01 Jan 2008 00:00:00 +0000

From Monday 3rd December 2007, Little Red Bus will take over the running of the Northallerton and Thirsk market day services from Taxis R Us. Please contact us on 01423 526655 to make your booking.

There are no other changes to these demand responsive market day services.

Please click on the link below to download details (PDF file).

Download details

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

87% say roads worsen

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 00:00:00 +0000

87% say road congestion has worsened over the last 12 months.

The results of the recent Transport Survey of Leeds Chamber members revels that 70% are increasingly concerned about the effectiveness of the local transport infrastructure and it not fully meeting the needs of their businesses.

In addition 70% report that road transport is essential to their business, but 87% (an increase of 2% from last year) say that road congestion has worsened over the past 12 months. However the survey pointed to the school run being the main cause of congestion, with over 80% mentioning this.

To view the article in full, please click on the weblink below:

http://www.leedschamber.co.uk/news_details.asp?Id=596

Little Red Bus AGM

Thu, 08 Nov 2007 00:00:00 +0000

The Little Red Bus held it's AGM on Monday 22nd October.

A new Management Board has been appointed as follows:

Chairman - Cllr. Jim Clark, Vice Chairman - Keith Fenn, Secretary - Peter Fryer, Treasurer - Michael Readman, Alan Allinson, Cllr. Bernard Bateman, Paul Cotton, Jean Fenn, Alan Kirk, Cllr. Clare Wood.

We would like to take this opportunity to extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to Tom Solan for everything he has done for us over the years. His dedication to Little Red Bus has been resolute and without him, we would not be where we are today. Our thanks also to his lovely wife Barbara Solan for all her support and hard work over the years.

The Social Enterprise Y&H '07

Wed, 07 Nov 2007 00:00:00 +0000

Little Red Bus is delighted to announce its sub-regional (York & North Yorkshire) award for Social Enterprise of the Year 2007.

This award was for outstanding success in the last 12 months in overall operations and activity i.e. fulfilling social aims whilst increasing sustainability. Furthermore, Little Red Bus was a finalist for the whole Yorkshire & Humber Region.

The award ceremony took place at the Footsey Exhibition in York on 18th October.

http://www.footsey.org.uk/

Christmas shopper special

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 00:00:00 +0000

Community Transport provider Little Red Bus, is joining forces with Harrogate's Victoria Shopping Centre to launch a special service for the Christmas period.

With sponsorship from the centre, Little Red Bus will be operating a free door-to-door service in and around the Harrogate area for people wanting to visit the town on any of the three consecutive Thursdays of late night shopping that begin from 22^nd November.

The service is designed for people who do not have access to other forms of transport.

Further details about the service are available by calling (01423) 526655.

http://www.victoriashoppingcentre.com/

Wheels in motion

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 00:00:00 +0000

The Yorkshire Dales Public Transport Group have announced details of their Winter DalesBus Services.

To view these details together with all the latest news, please click on the link below:

www.dalesbus.org

Promoting Harrogate Business

Tue, 02 Oct 2007 00:00:00 +0100

The Harrogate Chamber of Trade and Commerce is recognised as the powerful voice of Harrogate business. The officers have regular meetings with Chief Officers of the Borough Council as well as the Officers of other local Chambers of Trade and relevant local organisations. The Chamber also maintains excellent links with local and regional press, radio and TV.

For more information on The Chamber, please click on the link below.

http://www.harrogatechamber.org

Supporting each other

Fri, 07 Sep 2007 00:00:00 +0100

The Little Red Bus network featured in the spring/summer edition of the Yorkshire & the Humber Regional Forum newsletter.

Download the PDF version of the newsletter and have a look at the article.

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)

MPs praise for volunteers

Tue, 03 Jul 2007 00:00:00 +0100

Article from the Harrogate Advertiser

Phil Willis MP joined the Little Red Bus as part of Volunteers Week.

Volunteers are the unsung heroes of society,said Mr Willis. We do not acknowledge the work of the millions of volunteers without whom many services would collapse and many people would find life much harder.

Be it running local youth organisations, helping with meals on wheels or helping to improve the local environment, the work of volunteers is immeasurable.

Shopping centre partnership

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

The management of the Victoria Shopping Centre in Harrogate asked if Little Red Bus would display posters in the buses to publicise the centre's extensive range of quality shops and if we could arrange special late night Thursday Shopper Services in the run up to Christmas. We were naturally delighted to oblige!

Proceeds from such promotions make a valuable contribution to the Little Red Bus service and provide a win-win situation. Customers are all the more drawn to businesses who play their part in the community.

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

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More connections to Hawes

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New flexible bus services

More Buses to Malham

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Driver CPC training

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Grassington Link

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Service 144

Office

The ryepod has landed!

Market day changes

Paperworks

The Compact agreement

Maintaining your minibus(es)

Campaign for better transport

CTA maps out CT operators

Volunteer car schemes

Taking a new route

87% say roads worsen

Little Red Bus AGM

The Social Enterprise Y&H '07

Christmas shopper special

Wheels in motion

Promoting Harrogate Business

Supporting each other

Little Red Bus network launch

A fresh new look

New mopeds arrive

MPs praise for volunteers

Shopping centre partnership

Pass to freedom

'Lifeline' service in cash hope

Lifeline thrown to villagers

MPs praise for volunteers