Can you help Boston's Dial-a-Ride keep on the road?

VOLUNTEER drivers are being sought to help secure the long-term future of Boston's Dial-a-Ride service.

Boston Community Transport (BCT), the charity which runs the subsidised door-to-door bus service, is looking to buy its own vehicle and operate it with a pool of volunteer drivers.

BCT says this is the best way it can reduce its overheads and ensure the service, which has made about 2,000 trips in the first 11 months of this year, can continue.

Chief officer Peter Barratt told the Target: "Currently we lease a vehicle from Translinc and pay a driver in an arrangement we have no complaints about.

"But in the present economic and political climate when we are facing the prospect of reduced funding having our own vehicle and volunteer drivers is the best way forward.

"To make this work the first thing we must do is identify if there are the drivers out there.

"We ideally need a pool of around 20 drivers who can offer half a day or a day a week.

"If we can get enough drivers interested by January or February we can then look at getting a bus and hopefully having the new set-up running by the end of our financial year on March 31.

"The type of vehicle we need is a 12 seater mini-bus so if any businesses, organisations or individuals have such a vehicle they no longer need or can help with the cost please get in touch."

Due to driving licence changes potential volunteer drivers should have passed their driving test before 1997 or have a category D licence.

For insurance reasons they must also have no more than three penalty points endorsed on their licences. Training including First Aid will be provided.

For information call Mr Barratt on (01205) 315907.