Greater Manchester’s Ring and Ride customers are being reminded to find out about and prepare for upcoming changes to the door-to-door accessible transport service.
From Monday 4 April there will be some changes to who is eligible to use Ring and Ride.
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and Ring and Ride operator Greater Manchester Accessible Transport Limited (GMATL) have already written to all customers.
Anyone who regularly travels with or cares for a passenger is also being reminded to check out the changes.
Ring and Ride will continue to provide door-to-door accessible transport to people of any age who can demonstrate that they find it difficult or impossible to use public transport. From 4 April Ring and Ride users must demonstrate this by:
Holding a TfGM Concessionary Plus Pass; or
Holding a TfGM Concessionary Disabled Person Pass; or
Being aged 70 years old* or over, with mobility issues and holding a TfGM Over 60 Concessionary Pass; or
Being a TfGM Travel Voucher user.
Passengers must show their pass on each trip to travel and qualify for the concessionary fare. The changes follow a review of the service aimed at ensuring the people who need to use Ring and Ride the most continue to benefit.
While changes will not affect the vast majority of customers, some Ring and Ride users will need to apply for the correct pass to continue using the services.
Bernard Rowen, Ring and Ride Managing Director, said: “These essential changes will ensure the people who need to use Ring and Ride the most can continue to take advantage of the service – which is low cost, and free for many pass holders.
“I’d encourage all our customers – or anyone who regularly travels with or cares for one of our passengers – to find out more about the changes on the way. We are here to offer assistance to anyone needing to apply for a concessionary pass or find alternative transport solutions. Rest assured that help or advice is just a phone call away.”
The Ring and Ride fares and fare structure will also be revised from 4 April, with no changes having been made to the single fare since 2011, almost five years ago.
Anyone who wants to find out more about the changes can contact Ring and Ride on 0161 200 6011. Information about Ring and Ride services is also available at www.tfgm.com/ringandride.
The Ring and Ride review and upcoming changes to who can use the service have taken into account the likely increase in demand for Ring & Ride in future years as ongoing improvements in healthcare and healthier lifestyles mean more people are living longer; much improved access to the general transport network; and reduced funding (due to national cuts to local authority spending).
