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Operator Name: South Antrim Community Transport South Antrim Community Transport UPDATE OCTOBER 2006
South Antrim Community Transport is relatively new compared to our partners in the provision of Rural Transport.
We were established in November 2004 and took delivery of two fully accessible 16 seater vehicles.
We are tasked to cover an area of over 440 square miles from Crumlin to Toome, Larne to Newtownabbey and all the rural villages in between.
After staff and committee training were completed we started our membership drive and up to March 2006 we had 88 registered groups and 7 individual members.
We were successful in recruiting and training 15 volunteer drivers to the MIDAS Scheme, who mainly provide their services on a self drive basis to their own clubs and societies.
We have completed 746 bookings throughout the year and carried 23,872 passengers to a range of venues, including (school, church, social, shopping, entertainment etc.) We have also completed 102 door-to-door trips.
Our drivers Jackie and John interact well with our groups and frequently join in, as their role is not only as a driver but also as a helper in whatever way they can. This is acknowledged by the comments to the office by letter or phone thanking the drivers for taking time and being thoughtful to the needs of the particular group.
Enclosed is extracts from some of the groups, which we received throughout the year:
Thank you so much for your bus on Saturday 20th. Jackie was marvelous. She really joined in with us and made the day more enjoyable. She is a great asset to you, as is your beautifully clean, comfortable bus. Again many thanks to you all for helping to make our day the huge success that it was - Lynn Conroy.
To all Staff Drivers at South Antrim Community Transport.
I wanted to thank you for providing transport for my children to Creggan School during this school year. Personally the help and assistance provided was at a time when our family really needed the support. As you know the service is vital to Ellen who is deaf and has developmental delay. I would hope to continue to use the service in the new academic year and the children send a special thank you to the driver - Pauline and Henry Martin.
I use the small bus every week to visit my husband in a nursing home. Without this service I would find it difficult and expensive to use private taxis to carry out this work. John is thoughtful and takes time to ensure my chair and I am secured in the bus before he moves off. This service is a lifeline for me - Alice Hoey.
Throughout this year South Antrim Community Transport has gained experience in the transportation of rural groups and of individuals with disabilities, and will strive to continue this valued work throughout the coming year.
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