Heywood New Heart Community Transport

Since its inception in January 2004, Heywood New Heart Community Transport (HNHCT) has gone from strength to strength. In that first month the fledgling service carried just 44 passengers compared to in excess of 3,000 per month now. Funding from New Heart for Heywood New Deal for Communities provided the capital to launch and to help maintain the scheme over the past four years, but that fixed term funding has now come to an end.

Over the last year the Community Transport team has been busy putting plans into place to enable them to continue to maintain the operation to the same high standards they have set themselves, and to plan for a future without the NDC’s financial support.

Sponsorship has been obtained from Heywood Distribution Park, outside contract work has been undertaken, including some funded by the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive, and new booking software has been introduced that will, in the near future, enable passengers to book transport up to 8.00 pm via GMPTE’s call centre.

Whilst the ability to hire and self-drive vehicles has always proved popular with adult groups, it has been noted that more and more youth organisations have been using this facility. This is a very encouraging sign to Community Transport in their aim to promote themselves to all social groups within the Heywood Township. By keeping running costs to a minimum, HNHCT can ensure fares and hire charges are kept to acceptable levels.

Manager Neil Foley is very optimistic about the future: “We are extremely grateful to New Heart for Heywood for their support and encouragement over the last four years. While the current period of change will have an undoubted effect on the operation of Community Transport, I am confident the service will continue to prove a great asset to the residents of Heywood” he said.

Chair of the Board of Directors of HNHCT Dr Marian Corns said: “looking toward the future we are hoping to soon have two new buses to meet the ever expanding needs of the whole community of Heywood and the wider area around it.”

New Heart for Heywood Resident Director Councillor Malcolm Bruce said: “I am delighted with the progress made by the Community Transport Team and glad that New Heart for Heywood has given them a firm base from which to continue."