Macclesfield: 'Dial-a-ride' bus service popular with old people could see end of free travel
Fares could be introduced for bus pass holders who currently travel free on a FlexiLink 'dial-a-ride' service for elderly and disabled people.
That is one option Cheshire East Council is considering in a bid to keep the FlexiLink service running as passenger numbers drop.
Another is changing the eligibility criteria so more people could use the service.
FlexiLink offers a personalised, door-to-door service and operates in a similar way to a traditional 'dial-a-ride'.
It is funded by the council as part of the supported bus network and, to use the service, residents must be aged 80 or over, have a disability or live beyond the reach of any other public transport.
Nearly all passengers are concessionary pass holders who travel free of charge and a report to next week's meeting of the highways and transport committee states: "Only one per cent of passengers are paying the standard fare of £3. During 2022/23, the revenue collected on FlexiLink was £837."
The FlexiLink fleet consists of 10 vehicles and seven operate across the borough.
The service integrates with the provision of home-to-school transport for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) which means the core hours of operation for FlexiLink are between 9.30am and 2.30pm, Monday to Friday.
The report states: "The vehicles are not fully utilised due to the low levels of demand for the service. Currently, if telephone bookings are not made, there is no reason to deploy the vehicles."
It continues: "Across the borough, the average number of passengers per journey is four."
The council is now looking at various options for the service including:
- introducing a new fare structure, including a charge for concessionary pass holders;
- expanding the eligibility criteria to serve a wider population;
- expanding the operating hours and days;
- improving integration with the mainstream network;
- modernising the booking and scheduling system
The report stresses a public consultation will take place starting in early August to understand the transport needs of existing service users, residents and stakeholders, and to seek their views on the proposals to change the service.
The review only applies to the FlexiLink service – it does not apply to 'go-too' which is a separate service.
The highways and transport committee meeting takes place at Macclesfield Town Hall on Thursday, July 20 at 10am.
More info about FlexiLink and how to book it can be found on the Cheshire East Council website.
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