Nottingham City Council and Nottinghamshire County Council have launched a new and accessible network of Easylink buses for people who may struggle using existing local bus and tram services.
Easylink is operated by Nottingham Community Transport and provides a door to door service, from 8am to 7pm Monday to Friday, travelling anywhere up to ten miles from Nottingham city centre. Fully wheelchair accessible buses allow passengers to get to the shops, leisure activities, visit friends, medical appointments or anywhere else they want to go.
Easylink buses offer:
• Regular, fully-trained and friendly drivers who can help passengers on and off the vehicle and help carry any shopping to their door
• Brand new fully wheelchair accessible vehicles with a rear lift and space for up to two wheelchairs as well as up to eight conventional seats
• Low-cost travel for concession card holders and free travel for their escort or companion if they need one
• The ability to book a journey up to seven days in advance for a one-off trip, six weeks in advance for regular journeys or three months in advance for a trip to a medical appointment.
All people need to do to make use of the service is register with Nottingham Community Transport. Unless they already have a Nottingham City Council Mobility Citycard concession card or Nottinghamshire County Council Disabled Concessionary pass then they are automatically a member of the Easylink scheme. When a passenger books a trip they will be given an exact price for that door-to-door to journey. Journeys can be booked by phone, text or email.
Councillor Nick McDonald, Portfolio Holder for Growth, Jobs and Transport at Nottingham City Council, said “This is a welcome addition to our fleet of bus services, which ensures that local residents are provided with access to places they otherwise may not have been able to reach. This helps to promote independence and reduce isolation for our citizens.”
Ian Combellack, General Manager of Nottingham Community Transport added: “The Easylink service is about keeping people in Nottingham mobile – especially those who find it difficult or impossible to use conventional buses or trams. But more than that, we offer the personal touch – with a regular team of friendly drivers who are able to assist you on and off vehicles if you need that help. We are very proud of the role we play in the community and urge those in need of access to make the most of our transport.”
Councillor Kevin Greaves , Chair of Transport and Highways Committee at Nottinghamshire County Council, said ‘“We are very pleased to be able to offer County Council residents in the Greater Nottingham area the new Easylink service, which will improve travel opportunities for those people who struggle to use traditional public transport.”