50 jobs to go at West Midlands Ring and Ride services as budget cuts bite

West Midlands Special Needs Transport runs the ring and ride service for elderly and disabled people who cannot use public transport.

In total 54 jobs will go at the end of March.

Union bosses are in discussions with staff to help them try and find new jobs.

In December it was revealed 92 driver and scheduler jobs were at risk as the company tried to cope with a £700,000 cut in its budget.

The charity operates the ring and ride service across Dudley, Wolverhampton, Sandwell, Walsall, Birmingham, Coventry and Solihull.

Around 22,000 people use the service, which offers door-to-door transport for people unable to use buses, trams and trains.

Unite union regional officer Caren Evans said it had been confirmed that 54 people had been made redundant, with 38 workers taking part-time roles or transferring to other roles within the company.

She said the union's learning team will begin working with affected staff next week, providing training and help with things like CVs, interviews, IT skills and transferable skills to help them find new jobs.

Mrs Evans said: "Clearly no-one is happy. It is still a bad time for people.

"The union is working with the company to do everything we can for the 54 people made redundant and help them move on and find new jobs."

Chief executive of West Midlands Special Needs Transport, David Bermingham said those being made redundant would be assisted.

He said: "West Midlands Special Needs Transport have completed collective consultation with Unite, the Union and individual consultations with all staff affected.

"Fifteen personnel will be taking up alternative full-time posts and 20 personnel part-time posts.

"In total, 54 staff will be made redundant at the end of March."

He said people were being given workshops through Job Centre Plus to help with CVs and understanding benefits.

Mr Bermingham added: "In partnership with Unite we have organised workshops to be run by South & City College to help people with the necessary skills to secure employment and to offer a variety of training courses."

Last year Centro, which oversees transport in the West Midlands, announced £7 million of budget cuts are on the way to cope with reductions in the levy it gets from local authorities.