19 September 2007

A fleet of brand new minibuses takes to the streets of Guildford Borough as part of a major re-investment in the council’s Dial-a-Ride scheme - which also celebrates ten years of service this year.

Thirteen new vehicles, produced by local coachbuilders John Dennis of Guildford, come into service this month providing door-to-door transport for local residents with reduced mobility. They replace the fleet of existing vehicles and take full advantage of the new computer systems installed this year to provide more effective route planning and navigation.

Cllr Andrew French, Lead Councillor for Housing comments: "We are delighted to offer an improved and more flexible service for our residents.  Using the fully customised vehicles produced by local company John Dennis, we will continue to provide the vital transport we have offered over the past ten years.  During that time local people made over half a million journeys throughout the whole borough. We are committed to maintaining the Dial-a-ride service with this  investment and hope that the new vehicles will benefit even more people within our local community."

The Mayor of Guildford, Cllr Mike Nevins officially launched the new fleet at Park Barn Day Centre on 6 September. He then helped celebrate ten years of the service at a tea party for users of the borough's day centres.