Better transport for people with mobility problems

2.50.00pm GMT Thu 22nd Jan 2009

Wheelchair user is helped onto accessible bus

The dial-a ride consortium, comprising the Vale of White Horse, West Oxfordshire and Oxford City Councils, looks set to provide more transport support for people in these districts with mobility problems, and who cannot use a conventional bus. The dial-a-ride service, known to most as Octabus, serves both rural and urban areas. South Oxfordshire District Council are considering whether to join the Consortium from April 2009.

Under the Liberal Democrat administration in place at the time, Oxford City Council funded a second minibus from April 2007. Cllr Jean Fooks is delighted that Oxford will get an enhanced service from April, subject to final agreement. "This is excellent news. I know how valued this service is by people who otherwise would not be able to get out to shop, visit friends or get to doctors' appointments unless they could find someone to take them or had to pay for a taxi." This will now be available five days a week instead of four.

Oxfordshire County Council has been paying half the total cost of providing one bus per district and is considering extending this to cover the second Oxford bus as well. County Council Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Transport, Cllr Roz Smith, welcomed the extension of the service. Roz persuaded the council officers to approach parish councils to help with funding.