I agree that SDAR should nto be 'taken for a ride' but neither should the Swindon taxpayer. SDAR is a charity with a management committee and a plethora of volunteers. However, they do receive £360,000 of taxpayer pounds every year and as such that makes them 'political' (note the small p)
I would like to hear from SDAR why they are so unwelcome of suggestions which don't gel with their ideas. in fact they are singlularly dismissive of anything with which they don't agree.
I would like SDAR to explain what costs they think could be better controlled - if it's none let them say. However, I would be surprised if they are 'big enough' to compete with SCS or Thamesdown Transport on such things a diesel purchasing, maintenance contracts, vehicle insurance etc.
This was the text of letter I wrote back in December 2009 so some things may have changed in the
past 6 months:
Sir – Bonny Walsh the Chair of Swindon Dial A Ride Management Committee outlines four areas which SBC proposed could be investigated as a means to reduce the amount of taxpayer pounds allocated to the service (SA 22 December). Regrettably, Ms Walsh dismisses the four suggestions with an insouciance which is very odd given that whatever her legitimate concerns, the fact remains the Council is a major provider of funds to Dial A Ride and nothing is gained by ‘biting the hand which feeds you’. Having looked at some other Dial A Ride schemes in Bristol, Oxford, Peterborough and Nottingham it is quite clear that some of the SBC proposals are already practised elsewhere. For example the idea of a ‘membership fee’ is quite common which raises the question, why should it be so difficult or expensive for Swindon to implement and administer a similar scheme? Likewise, limiting travel to say two journeys a week, it might not be ideal but Bristol limits its Dial A Ride service to one return journey per week; others impose restrictions of a similar nature. Of course there may need to be exceptions to the rule but is Ms Walsh being a little disingenuous to use the example of a person who might require DAR five days weeks to travel and from work or college. Nottingham Dial A Ride insist on a doctor certifying the user cannot use public transport, however Ms Walsh appears totally opposed to countenance any assessment process. With regard to raising fares – an absolute no no for Ms Walsh – it is very interesting to note the variations in charges made by five Dial A Ride providers.
Oxon £5 per annum £4 return within West Oxon or to Oxford City £6 return otherwise
Peterborough £5 per annum standard bus fare
Bristol Free £2.20 return under 3 miles otherwise £3.20 return
Nottingham £6 per annum £6 return within 3 miles otherwise £10 return
Swindon Free £4 return within 3 miles
The grant made by SBC is £360,000 a substantial increase on the £280,000 Dial A Ride received in 2006 when three Labour councillors promised to donate their allowance increases to the charity. The need for Dial A Ride is not in question, the fact that there are other similar services provided within the Borough is also not in dispute, however, it is also not unreasonable for the Council to ask the DAR Management team to evaluate ideas for income generation or cost savings.
As for safeguarding DAR from ‘politicians’ – sadly that is not possible as DAR is inextricably linked to the whims of ‘political’ imperative by dint of the primary source of funding coming from a body politic. That is the reality DAR must face.
I support in principle the need for a DAR service but there are other providers and there most certainly are other potential providers. Will it cost the user more - yes it might. If it was run by a bus company then i presume over 60's would be able to use their passes. What i am certain of is that SBC has categorically stated that the SDAR service will NOT be lost. However, it may be subject to change.