Seven buses, including three new ones, are operating in all areas of the town providing a dial-a-ride and community transport service particularly for people who are less able or without access to a car or a bus service. The buses are also available for hire by groups. Just a phone call is needed to access the services.
The Hastings Area Community Transport scheme has been funded from the government’s pilot kick start projects through the urban bus challenge and is taking over the Age Concern dial-a-ride service.
It is currently being managed by a new independent organisation called HAT (Hastings Area Transport) which includes East Sussex County Council and Hastings Borough Council. The organisation will be developed with the aim of it becoming self-supporting within two years.
Before its official launch on Wednesday (January 19), lead county council cabinet member for transport and environment, Councillor Matthew Lock, said: ” This is an excellent scheme providing a much needed service to the whole community, particularly less able people and those unable to access public transport. Since the funding was secured much has been achieved and I wish the scheme and those in HAT every success for the future.”
Councillor Godfrey Daniel, Hastings Borough Council member for transport, said: "Schemes like the dial-a-ride and community transport service are invaluable in a town as big as Hastings and we hope to see these services grow and become widely used. They are easy to access and will certainly provide much needed transportation. A good example of this is how the evening bus service connects the conquest hospital with the town centre, and with communities such as those living on the West Hill."
From a total of £206,000 funding received, £78,000 has been spent on the three new buses, and £17,700 on setting up the office for HAT. The remainder is being used to fund the operation until it becomes self-supporting. It is expected that the cost of providing services within the scheme will be £165,000 this year.
Anyone wanting to find out about the scheme, book a ride, or become a volunteer driver, should contact the HAT office on 01424 424583.
Further information
Hastings area community transport services already have 1,000 registered users from the previous dial-a-ride service, generating around 8,000 trips a year.
The evening transport service, funded jointly by Hastings Borough Council and East Sussex County Council, accounts for about 5,000 trips per year on the circular route around Hastings from the conquest hospital, three times a night, six nights a week.
Over 1,400 groups a year make use of the service, for outings, shopping trips and community events.
The launch will be at 11am at the Britannia Enterprise Centre in Waterworks Road.
Reference:
05/017/JW
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