Council confident rural bus operator can be found
West Northamptonshire CouncilHopes are rising that a new transport provider can be found to cover rural areas affected by the closure of a community bus company.
The Ability Bus service, based in Towcester, Northamptonshire, will cease operating on 13 April, impacting elderly and vulnerable people who rely on it for daily travel and social contact.
Ability has cited funding challenges and the loss of its office and parking premises as reasons for the closure.
Reform UK-controlled West Northamptonshire Council said the process to find a new provider was underway and it has already seen "significant interest" from potential providers to take on the routes that Ability previously covered.
Growing confidence
The council said two other transport providers and a parish council had expressed interest in taking on the minibuses that Ability acquired through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Councillor Richard Butler, cabinet member for highways and transport, said: "Although Ability was not a council-run service and it was the company's decision to cease trading, we fully understand the role it played in providing journeys for many residents in our communities.
"It's encouraging to see there has already been significant interest from potential providers and there is growing confidence of finding alternative support for those residents affected by Ability's closure."
Grant funding
The council has also announced a £172,000 funding pot for community transport grants across West Northamptonshire and has invited local groups and parish councils to apply.
Earlier this week Ability users shared how the rural bus service had served as a "lifeline".
The minibus service was started by Lynn and Nigel Hinch in 2018 in response to other bus routes being cut and has provided transport in Brackley, Daventry, Northampton, Towcester and Banbury.
West Northamptonshire Council, which subsidised concessionary fares for Ability, said the service saw between 25,000 and 28,000 passenger trips a year.
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