A Community Transport Lifeline

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Helping the elderly, disabled and vulnerable

On the day when London transport came to a halt, ECT (Ealing Community Transport) and fellow community transport organisations were out and about helping hundreds of disabled, vulnerable and older people to make their Christmas Day journeys.

Figures collated this week reveal that such organisations provided over 115 vehicles on Christmas Day, backed by scores of dedicated volunteers.

Anna Whitty, Chief Executive of ECT and Chair of the London Strategic Community Transport Forum, commented:

“ Community transport was one of the only services available to disabled, vulnerable and older people on Christmas Day and the services we provide are much needed and extremely valued by our users. Our transport services seek to mobilise and engage people with their local communities and meet the needs of people who don’t have access to taxis, buses or cars.”

One example was Wandsworth Community Transport who mobilised its entire fleet of 25 buses with the equivalent number of minibus drivers and provided over 30 wheelchairs as part of a local partnership with Battersea Park Rotary Club. For the past 50 years, Battersea Park Rotary Club has held a Christmas Day lunch for more than 400 disabled and older people in Wandsworth.

ECT employee and mini-bus driver volunteer for over 40 years Cynthia Alleeson says of her Christmas Day passengers: “It’s all about helping people. My passengers have said they are so grateful for our service and that if it weren’t for us, most of them would not be able to get out of the house! Quite a lot of regular users are now dear friends but they all become part of your life - even if only for one day a year.”

Community transport is the only safe, accessible and flexible travel option for some community members. Services generally consist of day trips, group transport, door–to-door transport, shopping services, and services often in partnership with local councils or charities such as home-to-school and park-and-ride journeys.

 

 

 

22nd January 2014