'Vital' West Lancashire Dial-a-Ride service for vulnerable residents announces sudden closure

Local authorities are scrambling to secure a community transport service for disabled, elderly and isolated residents in West Lancashire after the closure of the current operator.

West Lancashire Dial-a-Ride said last week that it would shut on Tuesday (30th June), citing funding issues.

The not-for-profit organisation - which has served the district for more than 30 years - offered a door-to-door pick-up and drop-off service for vulnerable people who cannot access public transport or who live in areas where there is none available.

Its wheelchair-accessible minibuses provided low-cost, scheduled journeys to local shops, clubs and day centres, while a community car facility ferried passengers on bespoke trips to medical and other appointments.

Lancashire County Council and West Lancashire Borough Council - both of which provided financial support to the organisation - say they are trying to find alternative options for those who relied on the service, which has repeatedly been described as “vital” in concerned comments posted on social media.

The Lancashire Post has attempted to contact West Lancashire Dial-a-Ride by phone and email to confirm it had ceased operating, but has not had a response.

The telephone number for booking journeys plays a pre-recorded message that continues to give the usual opening times for its Burscough-based office. Its website remains live and there have been no messages about the future of the service on its Facebook page.

However, a post in a local social media group shows a message purportedly sent from West Lancashire Dial-a-Ride to passengers, which states that despite its “best efforts to secure ongoing financial support”, it has been “unable to obtain the funding required to continue to provide the service”.

The group goes on to offer its “sincere apologies” and thanks its “valued passengers” for their support and friendship.

The Post can reveal that Lancashire County Council provided West Lancashire Dial-a-Ride with around £110,000 in funding during the 2024/25 financial year - more than a quarter of the total £405,000 the authority hands out annually to help subsidise community transport across the rest of its sprawling patch.

Meanwhile, West Lancashire Borough Council has granted £48,000 of its tranche of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to West Lancashire Dial-a-Ride in the past two years.

A county council spokesperson told the Post: “We understand how important the Dial-a-Ride service is for the people who rely on it to stay connected to appointments, services and their local community.

"Lancashire County Council's funding for the service has been maintained and has not been reduced. The challenges currently facing the service relate to how it is operated and wider cost pressures.

"We are working closely with the operator and other partners to explore sustainable options and help ensure residents continue to have access to the support they need."

West Lancashire Borough Council said it was informed on 23rd June of the planned closure of the district Dial-a-Ride a week later.

A spokesperson said: “This news is deeply concerning, given the valuable service the organisation provides to residents across the borough.

“West Lancashire Dial-a-Ride has been a valued community partner, helping to ensure that vulnerable and isolated residents can access essential services and remain connected to their communities.

“In recent years, the council has provided significant financial support to help sustain this important community transport service. Over the past two years alone, the organisation received £48,000 in funding through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund programme.

“The council recognises the vital role that community transport services play for local families, particularly for older residents and those with mobility challenges.

“We are committed to working closely with the trustees, local partners and with colleagues across Lancashire to explore alternative provision and minimise the impact of this closure on residents.”

West Lancashire Dial-a-Ride is part of the Lancashire Community Transport Network, whose services are delivered on behalf of Lancashire County Council by the Community Transport Consortium, under contract.

Consortium members include Ribble Valley-based Little Green Bus - which acts as the lead operator - Preston Community Transport and Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Council for Voluntary Service.

None of the county’s other community transport services have been affected by the situation with West Lancashire Dial-a-Ride.

The Post approached the Lancashire Community Transport Network for comment.