Grants keep minibuses on the road (From This is Hampshire)

Grants keep minibuses on the road

8:33am Monday 22nd March 2010 in

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FOUR community transport schemes in Hampshire have been given a cash boost.

The money for schemes that provide wheelchair accessible minibuses for hire by local groups to help people who are unable to use public transport because of age or mobility problems has been dished out by Hampshire County Council.

Mainly volunteer drivers collect the frail elderly and disabled from their own homes and take them on leisure trips, to the shops and to hospital.

The county council helps with staffing and administration costs of these schemes.

A cheque for £15,969 is to go to Winchester Area Community Action which operates three wheelchair accessible minibuses and one smaller vehicle.

Last year, the vehicles were used by 70 different community groups and clocked up 19,572 miles on 9,045 passenger trips.

Officers say the grant subsidy per passenger trip is £2.13.

Meanwhile Gosport Voluntary Action, which operates a fleet of six wheelchair accessible vehicles, is to get a £10,079 grant.

In addition, Cllr Mel Kendal, executive member for environment, approved a £25,000 grant for Community Action Fareham to buy a small wheelchair accessible vehicle for both individuals and groups to use.

Meanwhile Broughton and Mottisfont Community Bus Scheme is to get an extra £4,000 on top of £19,684 previously awarded to purchase a new minibus.