Community transport grows in Rochdale

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Door-to-door community transport in Rochdale is being boosted by the addition of two extra minibuses.

Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority (GMPTA) has agreed to invest in the Optare Alero minibuses.

The low-floor vehicles will be added to the fleet used by members of the Rochdale Flexible Transport Group – including Heywood New Heart Community Transport and Rochdale Community Transport.

They will provide a variety of community transport services, from regular trips to local amenities to one-off community group excursions further afield.

Councillor Allen Brett, GMPTA spokesperson for Rochdale, said: “The biggest single cost to community transport operators is upgrading their vehicles, so I’m delighted we’ve been able to support this expansion by bringing in two more minibuses.

“Community transport has a vital role to play in helping people and places to thrive when ordinary public transport isn’t a viable option.

“It offers an affordable and convenient way of getting to health and leisure facilities, and some services link in to the public transport network too. I hope the new vehicles will lead to the development of even more services in future.”

Rochdale Flexible Transport Group is made up of a variety of local authority organisations and community groups who operate low-cost, easily-accessible services.

Many of the services can be booked with just an hour’s notice and will take people where they want to go within their local area. Some can be booked by local community groups for trips and outings further afield.

Members of the group have supported the Partnership for Older People Project.

Rochdale Community Transport can be contacted on 01706 860 151 and Heywood New Heart Community Transport on 01706 364688.

For more information about community transport, visit www.gmpte.com or call Traveline on 0871 200 22. (Calls cost 10p a minute from landlines. Lines are open from 7am to 8pm, Monday to Friday, and 8am to 8pm at weekends.)