Devon County Council

From Adrian Lane, Exeter 383262, June 09, 2008

NEW wheelchair accessible people carriers are being introduced by Devon County Council to replace its existing fleet of specially adapted cars and buses.

The vehicles are the first of their kind in Devon and two of them will be formally handed over to Torridge Community Transport Association and Totnes Fulfilling Lives at County Hall at 9:30am on Thursday 12 June.

Councillor Margaret Rogers, Devon County Council Executive Member for Environment, said: "These new vehicles are the first of many that will gradually be introduced to community groups, schools and adult community centres across the county, and they should make a very real difference in meeting their transport needs. Torridge Community Transport Association was in desperate need of a vehicle to replace its previous bus, and I know that Totnes Fulfilling Lives is keen to try this new concept of vehicle."

Totnes Fulfilling Lives, which supports those with learning disabilities, will receive an eight-seater people carrier which has walk through access and good roof height, a rear internal passenger lift for wheelchairs and sliding side door access with electric step for walking passengers. It can take two wheelchairs, which reduces passenger seating to four, but there is no need to remove any seats as they tilt and turn. There will be a County Council training course and test for this class of vehicle.

Geoff Connabeer, Team Leader at Totnes Fulfilling Lives, said: "The big advantage with this vehicle is that people can drive it with an ordinary licence, although they still need instruction and training. It will make our service much more flexible. Most of the seats fold away which is a great advantage and everything like the tail lift work at the touch of a button."

Torridge Community Transport Association, which helps individuals and groups who may not have access to transport, will receive the larger vehicle which has 15 passenger seats and walk through access and good roof height. Seats need to be removed to accommodate wheelchairs but it can take up to four wheelchairs. It also has a rear external lift and side door access for walking passengers.

Duncan Goodman, Torridge Community Transport Association co-ordinator, said: "We have had to make do with relief buses since last autumn as our last bus was burnt out in an arson attack. It will be nice to have a bus we can call our own again and it will be a lot more modern which will be a great improvement and will be much more comfortable for our passengers and drivers."

Community groups, Social Service centres, special schools and contractors will be invited to an open morning on the same day, where they can view and explore the vehicles and speak to County Council officers from Transport Co-ordination Service's Safety, Compliance and Fleet Team.

Another two vehicles will also be available to view on the day. These will be other types of wheelchair accessible people carriers which includes a 14-seater people carrier with a new seating concept that avoids removing seats to accommodate wheelchairs.

Notes for Editors:

Media representatives are invited to the presentations and open morning outside the Council Chamber at County Hall at 9:30am on Thursday 12 June.

Councillor Margaret Rogers, 01297 680384.