A not-for-profit minibus service for those with limited mobility is stopping its services after a huge hike in its insurance bill. Accessible Transport 4 U (AT4U), based in Fishponds, has confirmed redundancies and informed passengers that it will cease operating in February.
The award-winning service, which users say provides a lifeline in the South West for those who would otherwise find it difficult to leave the house, will stop on February 1 after 22 years. In a letter explaining the decision, it said its insurance premium had surged by 180 per cent and it could not afford to continue.
The letter, dated January 20, stated that due to a few accidents their insurance provider ERS had increased their rates to £2,600 per month. Martyn Hancock, AT4U's volunteer director, said they said no choice but to stop the services it operates - Candyfloss Outings, Wheel 2 Learn, Out ‘n’ About and Forever Remembered.
Read more: Disabled man says delayed care bill is making his ‘health worse’
Rohan Tarry, who has secondary progressive MS, relies on the service to get to appointments. He is concerned about the staff who will lose their jobs and all the other people who rely on the service which he describes as “absolutely brilliant”.
Mr Tarry was able to drive for 30 years but when he had to give up the car, he was recommended the service by a family friend with limited mobility, who had used the service so she could continue having a social life. The local transport service was in operation 24 hours a day and was able to take those living in the South West to almost anywhere in the country.
Mr Tarry said: “When I had to stop driving I thought how the hell am I going to get to my medical appointments and somebody recommended them and they’ve been absolutely brilliant. What really upsets me is it’s not just me and all the others they help but their staff, now all these people have got nothing.
“The service they provided was superb, people who are just doing their best to help people. Recently I had an eye infection and they took me to the eye hospital.”
In the letter sent out to customers, AT4U director Martyn Hancock said: “It is with deep regret that as of February 1st 2023 we and our partner charity, Disabled Travel Service can no longer provide our transport projects: Candyfloss Outings, Wheel 2 Learn, Out ‘n’ About and Forever Remembered." The letter goes on to say that the 180 per cent increase is not one they are able to pay and that from February 1 all administration staff and drivers will be made redundant.
Mr Hancock said that bookings made up until January 31 will be honoured, adding: "We hope you can find suitable supportive transport providers to help you with your everyday life. Bless you and we have enjoyed meeting with you, helping you and being there for you as much as we could.”
Mr Hancock set up another charity, East Bristol Advice and Information Service, in 1998 and realised that many disabled people lacked access to transport, which motivated him to start what was originally called Disabled Travel Service. They changed the name to make the service inclusive to those who do not identify as disabled but need mobility support.
Unlike other local travel services, like Bristol Community Transport which has recently closed, AT4U never accepted money from the council which he said gave them more freedom in terms of where they could take their members.
The affordable service could be booked by members who could request to be taken almost anywhere in the UK. This made it easier for people to keep in touch with friends and family, go shopping or simply maintain their social lives.
Mr Hancock said: “I’m quite emotional about it, I’ve been doing it for 22 years. There were people sat around in their rooms for yonks. It resurrected relationships and had no boundaries, we would take them anywhere they wanted to go."
The insurance company has been approached for comment.
READ NEXT:
