A decision by a transport charity to pull out of the town has taken Luton Borough Council by surprise.
South Beds Dial-A-Ride announced last week it was pulling its services in the town from Monday, after it says the council planned to pull its subsidy.
But the council expressed its surprise and has agreed for Shopmobility to take over.
Cllr Mohammed Hussain, portfolio holder for Adult Social Care in Luton, said: “We were very surprised by South Beds Dial A Ride’s sudden decision to close the service in Luton and grateful to Shopmobility for stepping in to the breach.
Announcing the closure Dial a Ride coordinator Dave Barratt said:“We do understand, in these times of austerity, that councils need to examine their services to balance their books and some cutbacks to front line services are inevitable.”
Luton Borough Council is removing the subsidy for concessionary fares from April 2014, say the company, which reduces their funding to the dial-a-ride service by 37% at a stroke.
Mr Barratt said: “We would go out of business in six months if we did not take urgent action now. If that happened we would not be able to help anybody, anywhere.
“I feel very sorry we have had to take this decision after serving Luton for over 25 years, and this will inevitably be a great disappointment and hinder the independence and social life of many elderly people, disabled people and wheelchair users in Luton. Our passengers and drivers have become friends and I am sure we will all miss each other terribly. I do hope our passengers will somehow find an alternative means to travel, and when they do that it is not too expensive, and above all, I hope they travel safely.”
Customers of SBDAR who had booked a journey on or after Monday, are being advised to contact Shopmobility on 01582 738936, open every week day from 9am-2pm or the Council’s Passenger Transport Office on 01582 547219, 8am-5pm.