Accessible transport (From Western Telegraph)

Accessible transport

11:08am Wednesday 12th September 2012 in Letters

YOUR paper has been running articles concerning the cuts in funding for bus services in Pembrokeshire.

Unfortunately, Pembrokeshire County Council is facing a cut of 27% in its Local Transport Services Grant.

This significant reduction in funding has necessitated the withdrawal of subsidy from some bus services, in particular Sunday services with a history of low patronage.

Your readers may not be aware that Community Transport (CT) providers locally could work with individuals and groups throughout Pembrokeshire to help meet transport needs.

The Pembrokeshire Association of Community Transport Organisations (PACTO) has received funding through the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-2013, which is funded by the Welsh Government and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, to develop community transport services.

The Community Transport Organisations locally have a variety of wheelchair accessible vehicles and also volunteer drivers using their own cars. They provide a range of services, not just for group use, from the Dial a Ride rural minibus services to car transport for essential journeys for individuals.

Community Transport services will not replace existing public transport and seeks not to undermine local transport firms, but will provide affordable, accessible transport where there is a need that can be met.

Anyone wishing to find out more about providing community transport services, or to talk about becoming a volunteer driver, can contact Mer Jones, PACTO, on 01437 769422 email: merpacto@hotmail.

co.uk or Margaret Vickery, Country Cars, on 07582 580646 email: margaret.

vickery@wrvs.org.uk MARGARET VICKERY Chair, PACTO Courtfield Drive, Simpson Cross