Latest news with #transportfunding
RNZ News
24-06-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Concerns over future of disability transport fund
Photo: 123RF Disability advocates are worried that funding for subsidised transport will be cut without notice - fearing the situation could be the same as the shock cuts to disability support service funding in March 2024. The Total Mobility programme is co-funded by central and local government, with up to 75 percent of each fare subsidised, meaning the user only pays a quarter of the total fare. For some disabled people, the subsidised cost is the difference between being able to leave the house, or not. But the scheme is increasingly costing the government. Ministry of Transport figures show the cost from now until 2027 is expected to increase 72 percent from the previous three-year period, to $52 million, while the number of users has increased 40 percent over the last five years. The Total Mobility scheme has been under review since 2023, but had its terms of reference changed last year and remains under review. The Minister of Transport Chris Bishop says the intent is for Ministers to get final advice from the review this year, and that decisions about public engagement will be made in due course. Nick Ruane is a disability advocate and a Total Mobility user.
The Guardian
22-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Guardian
Minibuses for rural routes are in production
It was interesting to read the letter (13 June) from Mike Parker regarding rural buses, making the argument that minibuses suitable for rural routes should be manufactured. And that such a business would be ideal for an entrepreneur. Ironically, it was only a few days before that letter, on 4 June, that Rachel Reeves made her transport funding announcement of £15.6bn from the premises of Mellor Bus in Rochdale, which, along with its sister company, Treka Bus in Brighouse, West Yorkshire, make a range of buses, including 16-seater ones suitable for rural routes. Mellor and Treka are both part of the Woodall Nicholson group. That group's business was acquired in 2023 by a Belgian entrepreneur, Guido Dumarey, to add to his portfolio. So there are suitable buses and there is an entrepreneur – let's hope he keeps those businesses manufacturing in the UK. It is a pity that the chassis used for the buses are of European origin (Mercedes and Iveco/Fiat) as there are no UK manufacturers of suitable chassis – now there's an opportunity. But, as both Ford and DAF stopped making that type of chassis in the UK years ago, I can't see any obvious candidate. Maybe Renault/Stellantis would or could make one available from their Ellesmere Port factory. Richard BramallSheffield Have an opinion on anything you've read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.
