Little Red Bus News

COFFEE MORNING - 9TH FEBRUARY

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 00:00:00 +0100

Thank you to all who helped and attended our coffee morning on 9th February in Bentham Town Hall.

We had lovely weather and made a profit of £262 on the day - again THANK YOU

Our trips to Settle and Kendal were well supported and we will shortly be publishing our next batch for the Spring. If you have anywhere you would like to go please call in and let us know

We're on our way

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 00:00:00 +0100

Update on Station Building:

We have appointed Contact One from Morecambe as our lead contractor for the refurbishment work with Park & Whiteley for electrical work and Tom Lawson for joinery.

We aim to start on site on 17th March and the main works should be completed by the end of April.

We will provide updated information as time goes on - but we are getting very excited.

Office

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 00:00:00 +0100

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 +0100

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

Wed, 05 Dec 2007 00:00:00 +0100

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.

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

Thirsk North Market Information_1.doc

Paperworks

Wed, 05 Dec 2007 00:00:00 +0100

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 +0100

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 +0100

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 +0100

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 +0100

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 +0100

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

Christmas raffle

Thu, 22 Nov 2007 00:00:00 +0100

Raffle tickets are now on sale for our Christmas prize draw, priced at just 20p each or £1.00 for five.

Tickets can be purchased directly from your driver.

The prize draw will be held on Friday, 21st December and all proceeds from the raffle will be put towards the purchase of a new minibus.

Should anyone wish to donate towards our bus appeal or provide prizes for the raffle, please contact angela.gray@littleredbus.co.uk

Thank you to all our customers for their valued and much needed support.

Taking a new route

Wed, 21 Nov 2007 00:00:00 +0100

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

4Youth travel

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 00:00:00 +0100

Little Red Bus is working in conjuction with 4Youth Travel to provide a transport network for young people between villages in the Harrogate District, enabling them to access youth provision.

The cost of the transport will be £1 per person for a return journey with free access to the Youth Club/Centre on arrival (unless otherwise stated).

This new initiative is hoped to start in January 2008.

Further details to follows.....

Christmas light switch-on

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 00:00:00 +0100

Little Red Bus has pledged its help to transport one of Starbeck's oldest residents to the town's Christmas light switch-on along with a group of other residents who would otherwise, find it difficult to attend.

The Chief Executive, Lyn Costelloe has donated the use of Little Red Bus vehicles and together with volunteer drivers, they will help make it a special occasion for some of the oldest residents in Starbeck.

The Christmas Lights evening will start from 4.30pm, with the lights being turned on at about 7pm. Father Christmas will be there and there will be food and drinks stalls, cake stalls, a tombola and a raffle as well as much more.

87% say roads worsen

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 00:00:00 +0100

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 +0100

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 +0100

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 +0100

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 +0100

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 +0200

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 +0200

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 +0200

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 +0200

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 +0200

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 +0200

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 +0200

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 +0200

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 +0100

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 +0100

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

COFFEE MORNING - 9TH FEBRUARY

We're on our way

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

Christmas raffle

Taking a new route

4Youth travel

Christmas light switch-on

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