Cheshire East Council chiefs are being urged to protect a lifeline for elderly residents looking to get from A to B, writes Stephen Topping.
Cheshire East Council delayed making cuts to its Little Bus service as part of last year’s bus review, which saw a reduction in the number of subsidised bus services.
But the community transport service responsible for the dial-a-ride bus – Transport Service Solutions – now faces a possible £200,000 budget cut in 2019-20.
At Thursday’s full council meeting, Crewe resident Hazel Faddes called for the service to be protected so elderly and vulnerable residents are not cut off.
She said: “The social care bill is rocketing, and we should be preventing the deteriorating health of our older residents.
“Access to a suitable transport system for those unable to drive due to ill health is imperative in ensuring they can safely attend medical appointments, support groups, day centres and social occasions.
“Cutting the Little Bus service will increase the social care bill, as people become less independent, more isolated and less mobile. Organisations will have fewer attendees and may be forced to close.
“How can we make sure that a transport service is available for the most vulnerable in our borough? Growing old should not be a punishment for those in less affluent areas who cannot afford other forms of transport.”
In the council’s pre-budget consultation for 2019-20, it says a review into Little Bus will be considered, as well as staff and overhead efficiencies from Transport Service Solutions.
Cllr Don Stockton, cabinet member for environment, told the meeting that the review would involve a £200,000 reduction in 2019-20 ‘with no further changes expected in the following two years’ if it is kept in the draft budget following consultation.
He said: “The bus service review consultation undertaken last year has provided valuable feedback from users of the Little Bus service, and the council will use the consultation results to inform any changes to this service.
“The detailed proposals for changing the service – i.e. the number of vehicles – are still under development pending the outcome of the consultation.
“Please note that the figures in the budget consultation under ‘community transport’ also reflect staff and overhead efficiencies from the council’s wholly-owned company Transport Service Solutions.”
Next year’s budget will be refined following consultation and approved next February by full council.
To take part in the consultation, which ends on Friday, visit cheshireeast.gov.uk/budget
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