CHARGES will be introduced for dial-a-ride bus travel in Lancashire, bosses have confirmed.
Lancashire County Council is set to take over responsibility for managing community transport from district councils - but is facing a £5million cash shortfall.
Over the next three months, negotiations will take place to work out how the minibus service will be funded. But Coun Tim Ashton, County Hall’s highways chief, confirmed charges would be needed to cover the shortfall.
Asked whether the dial-a-ride scheme could continue to be free for bus-pass holders, he said: “That will not happen. Free transport on dial-a-ride will not be available after the three month period. There will be a service, but there will be a charge. What it will be, I couldn’t say.”
The community transport minibus service, which has 5,000 members across the county, is for people who are unable to use conventional public transport. Earlier this month the Lancashire Telegraph revealed users would be charged to cover the funding gap.
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