Halstead: Hopsital transport scheme expanded (From Halstead Gazette)

Halstead: Hopsital transport scheme expanded

11:00am Saturday 9th March 2013 in Halstead News

Sweeping changes will be made to a hospital transport service for the elderly and disabled.

The Hospital Hopper was set up as a one year pilot scheme in February 2012 and, although it will continue, big changes will be made to the way it operates from April after the existing service was deemed unsustainable.

People previously transported by bus from Halstead, surrounding villages, and Braintree, to appointments at Halstead, Braintree and Broomfield hospitals, will instead be taken by volunteers using their own cars.

Passengers will be required to make a contribution towards the cost of their journeys - said to be about a third the price a taxi would cost - and bus passes will no longer be valid.

The service will also be expanded to provide transport to Colchester General and Essex County hospitals, but passengers will have to make their own arrangements for return journeys from all out of district hospitals.

The service will also be opened up to the whole district.