Extra funding for Cambridge community transport service to help secure its future

Extra funding for Cambridge community transport service to help secure its future

The Combined Authority and Cambridge City Council have stepped in with funding to help a Cambridge community transport service keep running and develop a plan for future sustainability.

The not-for-profit Cambridge Dial-a-Ride provides accessible minibus services in Cambridge and some surrounding villages via a membership scheme for people and community groups who have difficulty in accessing regular public transport.

But an increase in costs and a dip in passenger numbers meant the service found itself with a funding gap for the 2024/25 financial year. The Combined Authority and City Council have each contributed £22,000, totalling £44,000, to ensure Cambridge Dial-a-Ride continues operating while working with the service on a long-term viability plan.

Cambridge Dial-a-Ride already receives grant funding to support its services from the Combined Authority, City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council, East Cambridgeshire District Council and Cambridgeshire County Council.

The Combined Authority is working to change bus services across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough for the better, and that includes community transport, which plays a vital role in supporting people, including some of the most vulnerable, to get to medical appointments, essential services, shopping, and seeing family and friends.

The Combined Authority has commissioned a review of the entire community transport network to identify where there are opportunities to make services better. Input from service users and transport providers will be included in the review. It will also look at ways to better fund the services and is planned to make recommendations to the Combined Authority at the end of this year.

Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Dr Nik Johnson, said: “Cambridge Dial-a-Ride is a valued community transport partner, and we want to see them succeed, which is why we’ve stepped in alongside Cambridge City Council to help this important service get itself back on a sustainable footing.”

Cllr Katie Thornburrow, Executive Councillor for Planning, Building Control and Infrastructure at Cambridge City Council, said: “I’m very pleased that the city council and the Combined Authority have pledged this additional funding for Dial A Ride – a service which some of the most vulnerable people in our communities rely on to maintain their independence, get about the city and improve their quality of life. We’ll also look forward to joining together with our partners who offer this important service, to see how we can best enhance and strengthen it over the coming years.”  

Bill Hughes, Chairman of Cambridge Dial-a-Ride, said: “Cambridge Dial a Ride is a not-for-profit charity and has operated for over 28 years. Despite our costs increasing hugely, we remain dedicated to keeping the service running and developing even more and better services in the City of Cambridge and the County of Cambridgeshire. We are very pleased that the Combined Authority and the City Council have provided this financial lifeline, which will greatly assist us in keeping our fares at a reasonable level in this cost-of-living crisis. We also welcome their assistance in developing and maintaining a sustainable service for the future.”

 Deputy Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, and chair of its Transport and Infrastructure Committee, Cllr Anna Smith, said: “Dial-a-Ride is a lifeline for so many, and I’m delighted that we have been able to provide this extra support this year. We are committed to making sure that good quality transport works for everyone, and Community Transport is a really important part of that.”