Dales transport scheme could be used as national blueprint

The community transport service which is run by volunteers throughout the Upper Dales and is thought to be the first scheme of its kind in the country has proved to be an unprecedented success since it was launched in May last year.

Latest figures have shown that fares collected are more than three times the amount of initial estimates, and monthly passenger numbers have doubled in less than a year. Funding has also been secured to purchase a second minibus as the Hawes-based service is extended in villages across a 10-mile radius throughout Wensleydale and Swaledale.

Richmondshire District Council has now revealed that it has been contacted by other local authorities overseeing isolated parts of Britain which are looking to introduce similar initiatives.

The district council’s leader, John Blackie, told the Yorkshire Post that he had already been involved in discussions with officials from Ryedale District Council in North Yorkshire as well as local authorities serving the Welsh Borders.

Coun Blackie, who also represents the Upper Dales on North Yorkshire County Council, said: “The scheme has been a huge success, especially when you consider bus services in the area were under threat of being scrapped amid the public sector cutbacks.

“The success has been brought about by listening to the community and serving the needs of the community. People’s confidence is the service has grown which has helped increase the number of passengers.

“We are in talks with other authorities which are interested in the virtues of our scheme, and I do believe it is something that can be replicated in remote areas across the country.”

The existing service involves a team of 11 volunteers, although a recruitment drive has seen another three members sign up.

The volunteers have been involved in running scheduled services as well as heading out on specific individual journeys which have been pre-booked by passengers. The scheme, dubbed the Little White Bus, has involved a vast array of journeys ranging from school excursions to taking patients to hospital appointments.

A total of 487 passengers were carried in May, which is twice the number that was carried in July last year. A total of £10,408 has been collected in fares, far more than the figure outlined in tender documents which suggested an estimate of £3,000.

The second minibus is now on order after £5,850 in funding was secured this month from the Dales Integrated Transport Alliance (DITA), which is overseeing the biggest transport revolution in the Dales in living memory.

Richmondshire District Council itself approved plans in March to release £10,000 to pay for about half of the cost of a new bus, while the remainder of the funding will come from the Upper Wensleydale Community Partnership.

The community transport service was due to become a victim of North Yorkshire County Council’s attempts to save £69m to counter the Government’s cuts.

But the Upper Wensleydale Community Partnership started operating the Little White Bus service in Hawes and the surrounding villages, providing transport to residents for journeys including shopping trips and GP appointments.

The project also preserved a scheduled bus service between Hawes and Gayle through Upper Wensleydale to the remote Garsdale Station, timed to meet trains arriving from Leeds and Carlisle. Community groups are able to hire the bus out on specific journeys for a fare of £7 per passenger, and £5 for concessions.

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