Ring & Ride 25th anniversary

Hundreds of Ring & Ride passengers, staff and volunteers enjoyed a special celebration event yesterday to mark the 25th anniversary of the service in Devon.

The Silver Jubilee party at Seale Hayne in Newton Abbot, brought together those connected with Ring & Ride schemes from across the county.

Among those who attended was Freda Hayes, who is the longest serving passenger of the Tiverton Ring & Ride service, having been a regular since November 1990.

Freda said: “The Ring & Ride is my saviour. I have made so many friends on the Ring & Ride bus and I look forward to each Tuesday when we can catch up. The drivers are so helpful; they carry my bags to the door and make sure I’m ok. It’s a real peace of mind knowing that they all care.”
    
One of the oldest passengers to attend was 100 year Diana Forster, who is a passenger on the Dawlish Ring & Ride scheme. She started using the Ring & Ride 10 years ago after giving up driving at the age of 90.

Diana said: "It was an absolutely super occasion and the weather was good. I don't think there was anyone there as old as me! We only have a pub and a church in my village, and without the Ring & Ride I wouldn’t be able to get out and get my shopping. I depend entirely on this service and I don’t think I'm alone in that.

"They're such a lovely team, nothing is too much trouble. The drivers are very, very kind and helpful, especially Reg Lake who is always smiling and drives beautifully. I can't speak highly enough of him."

The first Ring & Ride service established in Devon was launched in Honiton in April 1990. Angie Clark MBE, has been a driver with the service in Honiton since day one, and she received a surprise bouquet of flowers at the event from Devon County Council Chairman Christine Channon.

Neil Hurlock, Manager of TRIP Community Transport in Honiton, said: “Angie originally started driving the Ring & Ride on a school run as it combined well with her children’s schooling. The role has changed and developed since then and now she could almost drive the pick up route with her eyes closed as so many of the passengers have been travelling with her for such a long time.”

There are currently 16 Ring & Ride schemes operating in Devon, covering over 80% of parishes in the county and used by almost 30,000 passengers per year.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member with responsibility for Community Transport, said: “This Silver Jubilee event was a great way to bring together hundreds of people involved with the county’s Ring & Ride schemes and it was a tremendous success. The fact that Ring & Ride is celebrating 25 years in Devon speaks volumes about its popularity.

“Ring & Ride schemes offer more today than the regular shopping trips, with many providing short breaks and lunch trips, but they are all still helping people in the community who do not have regular access to local bus services. Everyone who gathered for the 25th anniversary event agreed that the Ring & Ride schemes they use are a lifeline, and that is partly why they have become such an important asset for communities across Devon.”

Ring & Ride was set up in response to new legislation at the time which gave local authorities powers to meet the travel needs of elderly and disabled people.

Ring & Ride offers door-to-door transport in a specially adapted minibus with a wheelchair lift and low entry steps and a professional driver who can assist passengers on and off the vehicle.

The Silver Jubilee event was sponsored by GM Coachwork Ltd, specialists in driver adaptions, wheelchair vehicles and accessible minibuses.