Ring & Ride minibus services have relaunched across Greater Manchester – with social distancing in place – to help vulnerable residents make necessary trips.
Run by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), the service relaunched on Monday 18 May, with a number of restrictions in place.
For example, it has been reintroduced as a kerb-to-kerb service only and will operate on weekdays between 8am and 7pm.
There will be no access to the tail lift for wheelchairs or mobility aids, and any passengers needing tail lift facilities will be offered a taxi journey instead.
Drivers will be unable to give assistance to passengers when boarding or alighting the minibus and passengers must be able to secure their own seatbelt.
A maximum of two passengers will be allowed in the vehicle at any one time, rising to three passengers if two are living at the same address.
Fares of £1 for concessionary plus passengers and £2 for all other passengers will be charged on a temporary basis. No change will be provided and no tickets will be issued to reduce contact between drivers and passengers.
To reduce the risk to staff and passengers, drivers will wear face masks and gloves while working and all vehicles will be rigorously cleaned, including a steam clean of the seats, before services resume. Vehicles will also be wiped down between trips.
TfGM’s customer director, Stephen Rhodes, said: “It’s really important for us to resume the Ring & Ride service safely so we can provide transport for essential journeys for people with disabilities and older people with walking difficulties, who may find it harder to use reduced public transport services.
“However, our message to the public remains to stay at home as much as possible and only travel if it’s necessary; stay local and shop local where you can.”
The Ring & Ride contact centre also reopened on Monday 18 May, with staff now available Monday to Friday, between 8am and 4pm.
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