VOLUNTEER minibus services for the elderly, vulnerable and community groups in Pembrokeshire could be under threat, if new proposals by the Department of Transport come into law.

The Pembrokeshire Association of Community Transport Organisations has joined a national social media rallying call today, to draw attention proposed changes by the DfT.

“Basically, at the moment community minibuses operate under special licences that are only available for non-profit organisations,” said Debbie Johnson of PACTO.

“The DfT are now tightening up the rules. It might mean that all the community transport buses in Pembrokeshire and across the UK would find it difficult to keep going.”

Under the new rules community transport minibuses may have to compete with commercial transport operators.

Milford Mercury:
PACTO, the association of community transport organisations for Pembrokeshire.

PACTO is an umbrella organisation for community transport groups in the county, including Pembrokeshire Voluntary Transport and the Preseli Rural Transport, who each operate a fleet of six minibuses.

“The people that are going to lose out on this are the elderly, and groups like the stroke club who use the buses once a month for trips out,” said Debbie.

To highlight its concerns, PACTO has today (Wednesday, April 18) joined the UK-wide Community Transport Association in a social media awareness raising campaign.

Current rules allow community transport groups to apply for permits under Section 19 or Section 22 or the 1985 Transport Act.

Section 19 permits apply to the transport of community groups, elderly and disabled people, and for education purposes.

Section 22 permits are used by community groups to run registered bus services, including Dial-a-Ride.

Under new rules, operators would have to prove they are a non-commercial service, either by showing there is no contestable market in their area, or proving they operate at a 10% loss of annual income.

“It threatens the services that are running because you are going to keep older vehicles that are running around for longer, or skimp on maintenance to save on costs,” said Debbie.

At their last survey in 2015, PACTO recorded more than 500 individuals, as well as 70 groups who use community transport in Pembrokeshire.

In the worst case scenario, added Debbie, some community transport services in Pembrokeshire could cease to exist.

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Pembrokeshire Voluntary Transport is one of the groups whose minibus services could face pressure from DfT changes.

At the least, they would be reduced and not offer the same service they currently do.

The proposed changes came about after several English transport companies raised concerns that some community transport groups were being given an unfair advantage.

The operators took their grievance to the European Court of Justice, leading to the current consultation.

But the proposals have not been without criticism from MPs.

Parliament’s Transport Select Committee published a report on the consultation on December 17 last year, saying the planned changes would be akin to “using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.”

Members of the public are invited to give their opinions on the proposals via the DfT website.