A popular and award-winning bus service for people over 50 who find it difficult to get out in the evening returns next month.
In a partnership between Denbighshire County Council and Dial a Ride Denbighshire, the minibus service for those who live in Rhyl and Prestatyn will return on Thursday 8th December, just in time for Christmas.
Nightrider will again run on Thursday and Friday evenings. It gives older people an opportunity to get out more by giving them access to evening activities.
Nightrider ceased earlier this year following a reduction in volunteer drivers and buddies. The new partnership has overcome this with the help of Denbighshire Dial a Ride, who will manage drivers and bookings.
Commenting upon the reintroduction, Cabinet Lead Member for Environment and Sustainable Development, Councillor Sharon Frobisher, said: “This is really good news for older people. We know that users have really missed this service. We now have a new way of managing this operation and I would love to hear from former volunteers who feel that they might be able to help again. I pay tribute to all the former volunteers who have given freely of their own time to help support this venture”.
Chair of Denbighshire Dial a Ride, Barbara Charsley, commented: “This marks an important change for us at Dial a Ride as we seek ways to grow beyond our core services. Nightrider will now be open to any resident in the Rhyl, Prestatyn, Dyserth & Rhuddlan areas and we look forward to helping people get out more.”
Membership of Dial a Ride is not necessary to use Nightrider. There is a £3 charge per passenger per night. Bookings are on a first come, first served basis. Anyone requiring further information including the revised system of booking and operation, should phone Dial a Ride on 01745 344222. The Nightrider service will operate as a pilot for a period of six months, to the end of May 2012 and the partnership will review it then.
