Its funny the difference a Local Election can make?. For example at an all party workshop carried out by the West Midland Passenger Transport Authority on March 18th members from all parties were supportive of introducing a plan to increase the fleet of Ring and Ride vehicles by an additional 39. The justification for improving the Ring and Ride Service and the benefits to the elderly and disabled were all accepted, if this was to be carried out. This was to be done as part of a 5 year plan.
This was option B, which was in contrast to option A (which was to add only 8 new vehicles and to maintain the current level of provision with some tinkering of the scheduling to allow more trips to be made.)
Now low and behold at the meeting of the WMPTA on Monday 12th May just days after the Local Elections, the Conservative majority and their Liberal partners agreed with a report which supports option A.
Now why am I surprised?. When you think of the elderly residents in Oscott who lost out because of the lack of active support from the Tory dominated WMPTA (Centro) , when it came to consulting and fighting for the retention of the 376 and 655 bus routes to stay on their old routes, the lack of sympathy for the needs of the travelling elderly, should not be that surprising.
This was option B, which was in contrast to option A (which was to add only 8 new vehicles and to maintain the current level of provision with some tinkering of the scheduling to allow more trips to be made.)
Now low and behold at the meeting of the WMPTA on Monday 12th May just days after the Local Elections, the Conservative majority and their Liberal partners agreed with a report which supports option A.
Now why am I surprised?. When you think of the elderly residents in Oscott who lost out because of the lack of active support from the Tory dominated WMPTA (Centro) , when it came to consulting and fighting for the retention of the 376 and 655 bus routes to stay on their old routes, the lack of sympathy for the needs of the travelling elderly, should not be that surprising.
If you would like to use Ring and Ride Tel 333 3114
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