Ring and Ride just the ticket

TOP team . . . (from left) Councillor John Dillon, Debbie McCarthy (depot manager), Dave Dixon (driver), Keith Lawson (senior supervisor) and John Cowling (driver)

A SERVICE heralded as a lifeline for pensioners who might otherwise be housebound has been nominated for a Pride in Oldham award.

The drivers and office staff of Oldham Ring and Ride earned a collective nomination from some of the people they ferry out on trips.

Mrs E Ogden from Block Lane, Chadderton, made her nomination for their kindness and consideration.

She said: “A meaningful thank-you from a golden oldie, this service is a feather in the cap for Oldham.”

And Winifred McCormack said: “They are always there for us pensioners, we couldn’t get out and about without them.”

The service, which operates from Westpoint Industrial Estate, Hargreaves Street, provides a door-to-door service with 12 mini-buses for around 100,000 Oldham passengers every year.

It caters for Oldhamers who have difficulty with public transport, from wheelchair users, the elderly and those with a physical or learning disability, to residents who need temporary help for reasons such as a broken leg.

Cheery drivers take passengers everywhere from the shops, work or school, to a place of worship or leisure facility — for only 60p a journey. They also run day trips and evenings out to garden centres, out-of-town shopping malls, the Yorkshire Dales and Christmas shopping trips.

Delighted area manager, Jacqueline Beaumont, said she spoke for Ring and Ride’s 27 drivers as well as the behind-the-scenes workers when she said the nomination made her feel “very proud.”

She said: “All our drivers are very conscientious.

“They always go the extra mile, and it’s tremendous to be recognised for the good service we give — they will be so proud.”