East Surrey Rural Transport Partnership has been awarded funding from Tandridge District Council to provide dial-a-ride services from Monday 3rd April 2017. The new service will be offered across the district and will include transport around the district, to the Douglas Brunton Centre and the opportunity for residents to book days out.

This follows a review of community transport which aimed to improve the service, while achieving better value for money. The review looked at how the service was provided across the district, how users accessed the service and how funding was allocated.

One of the recommendations from the review was to invite applications from community transport organisations to provide a sustainable and resilient service, which recognises the needs of residents while providing value for money. Current and alternative dial-a-ride providers were invited to bid for the funding to provide the new service.

Community transport generally serves an older and/or disabled population. At the moment, Tandridge district residents have access to a range of community transport services. This includes a dial-a-ride minibus service, a taxi voucher scheme and a range of smaller, niche voluntary services, although provision across the district can vary. The new service will provide a more comprehensive service for the whole district extending the range of transport options available to residents in rural areas.

The review was carried out in consultation with Surrey County Council, as well as with residents and organisations which use community transport services.

Councillor Nick Childs, Chairman of the Community Services Committee, said: “Community transport is an invaluable service for many residents who would otherwise not be able to easily travel around the area. We want to ensure we are providing the best possible service, which also gives value for money.”