A LABOUR councillor and disabled rights campaigner has called on the council to secure the long-term future of Dial-A-Ride.

Derique Montaut (Liden, Eldene and Park South) accused the Conservative administration of “breaching previous promises” over funding arrangements related to the community transport service.

Last year, when the council was seeking to cut Dial-A-Ride’s funding by 50 per cent, a petition with 4000 signatures was submitted calling on the council to ensure the service was able to keep running.

At the time, the Conservative lead member for Transport, Coun Dale Heenan, said he wished to secure income from sources other than the council budget in an attempt to secure Dial-A-Ride’s future and to mitigate the cuts.

However, according to Labour, no such income has been made available.

Coun Montaut said: “I am very disappointed to read the Conservative cabinet’s report in to Dial-A-Ride. The report doesn’t identify the issues in relation to what was going to happen to the service.

“One assumed that when Dial-A-Ride was debated at the council meeting, it was agreed that new sources of income would become available in order to mitigate the 50 per cent cut. The cabinet have failed to meet that commitment.”

Dial-A-Ride provides a door-to-door bus service for people who have difficulties using conventional transport due to disability.

Last year, due to the council facing unprecedented financial challenges, the service saw its budget slashed by more than 50 per cent, down to £148,000 from £312,000.

Coun Montaut added: “The concern that Dial-A-Ride service users have is that it may close down as a result of being put out to tender, after assurances were given by the Conservative administration that this would not be the case.

“The concern that I have is that without the new funding sources promised by the Conservative cabinet, the closure of the service is extremely likely.”

In response, Coun Mary Martin, cabinet member for Communities and Place, slammed Coun Montaut for failing to attend a cabinet meeting on Wednesday in which Dial-A-Ride was discussed.

Evelyn Rider, a Dial-A-Ride representative, attended the meeting and praised councillors for their efforts in engaging in "serious and productive talks" about the future of the service.

Coun Martin said: "We are committed to keeping the essential service that Dial-A-Ride is providing. We have been strong supporters of it throughout and I'm glad that there has been a positive working dialogue with them, as there will no doubt continue to be."