£28,000 is a driving force for Dial-a-Ride

Scarborough and District Dial-a-Ride has been awarded a grant of £28,340 by North Yorkshire County Council towards replacing its 12-year-old vehicle, which has more than 100,000 miles on the clock.

The vital service provides door-to-door transport for people within a 10-mile radius of Scarborough, taking passengers to health appointments, day and respite care, social and support groups.

The council awards several similar grants each year to support community transport schemes. Community transport operators can apply for up to 75% of the cost of a replacement vehicle.

Julie Banks, manager of Scarborough and District Dial-a-Ride, said: “We are delighted to receive this grant from the County Council as we will now be able to replace our elderly minibus and deliver more reliable journeys for our passengers.

“We thank the county council for their continued support.”

County councillor Don Mackenzie, executive member for public transport, said: “Community transport operators such as Scarborough and District Dial-Ride provide a lifeline, especially in the more isolated or remote parts of our county.

“They enable people, particularly the elderly or disabled, to keep medical and social appointments, helping them to remain independent and combating the risks of social isolation and loneliness.”