Community transport charities in Wyre Forest gearing up for major change
Wyre Forest’s two community transport services have joined together to create an improved organisation better able to support the needs of a growing number of passengers.
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The district’s Dial-A-Ride and Community Transport Wyre Forest (CTWF) charities are now known as Wyre Forest Community Transport.
Close working became a partnership in 2024, with Dial-A-Ride’s chief officer David Muggeridge running both operations since last summer.
The new organisation, operating from Dial-A-Ride’s base at Wyre Forest District Council’s Green Street depot, Kidderminster, will be governed by trustees made up from members of the two previous boards.
Glen Collins, chair, said: “We are delighted to announce the integration of our two organisations for the benefit of our several hundred passengers across Wyre Forest and to enhance our capacity to cope with ever-growing demand.
“Our lifeline services to elderly and disabled people, as well as to those for whom there is a lack of adequate public transport, will not change but efficiency and effectiveness will be enhanced.”
Mr Collins said the single organisation will benefit from economies of scale, from improved scheduling of journeys and from having a single point of contact.
He added: “It also provides the prospect for new areas of provision to be pursued and offers attractive funding opportunities to major funding bodies, along with significant scope for further local funding bids and fundraising.”
Trudi Elliott, outgoing chair of CTWF, who is continuing as a trustee of the new board, led a joint steering group working on the creation of the new organisation.
She said: “We have consulted staff, volunteers, fellow trustees, Worcestershire County Council, our accountants, lawyers and the Charity Commission over the last 15 months. We are confident that our comprehensive due diligence has led to the creation of a highly efficient and robust organisation ready to serve our passengers.
“The future is looking very bright, with tremendous excitement at the prospect of improving our already excellent services and developing new ones to benefit the people of Wyre Forest.”
Wyre Forest Community Transport services include door-to-door affordable transport using minibuses and volunteers’ own cars for medical and social appointments, outings, shopper services and three community bus services.
To find out more about the services, volunteering and how to donate, visit ctwyre.org.uk
