RING AND RIDE UPDATE FOR OSCOTT RESIDENTS

 At a meeting of Centro yesterday it was decided to improve a little, the Ring and ride cuts proposals.

The Ring and Ride service used by about 60,000 people in the West Midlands has been saved from the axe.

It was feared the door-to-door minibus service might be scrapped due to government cuts.

However Centro, which funds Ring and Ride, said it would make £8.5m available next year.

The charity said it was "pleased" with the money but would not be able to continue Sunday services under the new funding arrangement. ( The last Sunday service will be 31st March 2014.) There will be no service on Christmas day or bank holiday Mondays.

Operating hours will be reduced, with buses running from 08:00 to 23:00 Monday to Saturday.(it had be proposed to finish at 20:00)  Fares will also rise from 60p to £1.

Centro, which funds Ring and Ride has had to cut staffing costs to protect front-line services.

It has been decided to keep half-price bus fares for children and free tram and train travel for eligible people, despite previously warning they could also be cut partly sadly by further cutting staff jobs.

There will be one major improvement in my view as will be improved so that 24 hours notice rather than the old 48 hours notice will now be the order of the day. This should also help reduce cancellation.

I would like to thank all those Oscott residents who have contacted me about Ring in Ride. I am aware these improvements will mean a lot to many of them.

Ring and Ride It is funded by Birmingham City Council, Coventry City Council, Dudley Borough Council, Sandwell Borough Council, Solihull Borough Council, Walsall Borough Council and Wolverhampton. All these districts are subject to cuts in funding by the government.