Crewe, Nantwich & Congleton Dial-a-Ride, a journey through time.
- 1986
The origin of the Dial-a-Ride scheme was a pilot project, running 2 days a week. This was managed by Cheshire Probation with Cheshire County Council, providing an accessible minibus.
Sucess of this pilot scheme led to further funding becoming available from the County and Borough Council. At this time a management committee was formed and the scheme registered as a charity, this led to the employment of a co-ordinator to oversee the the continued development, and part time booking and clerical staff.
- 1989
Cheshire County Council provide support for a voluntary car scheme, where volunteers use their own vehicles to transport passengers in return for expenses.
- 1990
Congleton Borough Council set up a Dial-a-Ride scheme and approach us to share office resources, bringing cost reductions.
- 1997
National Lottery funding allows us to purchase an accessible minibus for use by community groups in the area. Currently there are 50 local groups registered with us.
- 2001
We introduce a 'Rural Rider' service for rural communities in the area.
- 2003
A grant from 'Lottery Awards for All' allows us to set up a training school, we currently provide Passenger Assistant Training, Minibus driver awareness training, Car and MPV driver awareness training and Disability awareness training.
- 2005
A major management and staff restructuring strengthens our organisation.
- 2006
We start the Worleston Flexible transport service, a response to the withdrawal of a commercial service to Nantwich Bus Station.
This is now a three day a week door-to-door demand responsive service.
- 2007
We start flexible transport services in Holmes Chapel, Marton and Siddington. These enhanced services were as a replacement for the Marton and Siddington Area Community Transport Group who had lost their core funding.
Following the
June sees the start of flexible transport services in the Malpas area, these cover a number of contracts including school transport, Age Concern Transport, Demand Responsive Transport and flexible pre-book timetabled services.
- 2008
The Integrated Transport Shared Services ask us to assist in the formation of a joint working initiative.
- 2009
After forming a partnership with Congleton Disability Access Group, we secured funding for a Shopmobility scheme to address the issues of the accessability of Congleton town centre.