JOURNEY fees for a community transport service in Redditch have been slashed by up to 50 per cent.

Redditch Borough Council's door-to-door Dial a Ride service for residents who cannot use public transport will now cost £2.50 a journey down from the £5 standard concessionary rate.

Concessionary medical journeys will be £3.50 down from £6, and non-concessionary fares were cut from £6 and £7 for medical journeys to £3.50 and £4.50 respectively.

The new prices started on Thursday (August 1) after councillors approved the move earlier in the week.

Redditch Borough Council’s portfolio holder for community services, councillor Monica Stringfellow, said: “Dial a Ride performs a vital service to Redditch by connecting people with their communities and we are proud to keep that service more accessible than ever.

"During this cost of living crisis when times are hard, we are helping where we can.

“People all over Redditch use Dial a Ride to get to the shops, clubs, medical appointments and more, and many of our customers tell us how much it means to them. I hope that with this new backing from the council, more people than ever who could benefit from the service will pick up the phone and find out more.”

The change is designed to reduce financial barriers to getting around the borough and encourage more people to benefit from the service.

Councillor Joe Baker, leader of Redditch Borough Council, said: “Too often recently the community services that improve so many people’s lives in Redditch have been overlooked and undervalued.

"We are putting that right. We said many times that increasing charges for Dial a Ride was only hurting those most vulnerable in society, I am so pleased that we have put this forward and made this service more affordable for those who need it most.”

People can register for the service by calling 01527 64910, for £15 a year. Concessionary journey fees are available with a concessionary bus pass and a combined Dial a Ride and Shopmobility discount is also available.