REDDITCH Council's Dial-a-Ride scheme is going from strength to strength, giving freedom and independence to more people with mobility difficulties than ever before.

The council now operates four Dial-a-Ride buses which means more people can access the vital services it offers.

And further expansion is planned with Government funding from the Urban Bus Challenge bid.

It will be a while before any additional buses are out and about on the streets of Redditch, however, as they take time to obtain from the manufacturers but they are likely to be available from March/April 2005.

Some customers are still experiencing difficulties getting through on the phone to Dial-a-Ride,but co-ordinators will be shortly piloting a new computer system which should speed up the bookings process.

They are also looking at the possibility of a telephone- queuing system.

Redditch Council is also working with Worcestershire County Council, which is planning to pilot a taxibus service, which may particularly help with transport in the evenings and weekends.

Dial-a-Ride is hoping, once it has additional buses, to provide more shopping trips to supermarkets.

Anyone who has any ideas about how the service can help people with mobility difficulties in additional ways, are asked to call Dial-a-Ride and Shopmobility manager Peter Rose on 64252 ext 3527.

Alternatively, email peter.rose@redditchbc.co.uk