News / bristol community transport
England’s first car club for wheelchair users
The first wheelchair car club in England will be launched in Bristol on Thursday.
The scheme brings together existing on-street car club technology with a fully accessible vehicle, helping Bristol’s wheelchair users to get out and about.
“We’ve been providing wheelchair accessible vehicles in Bristol for 30 years, but people have to book over the phone during office hours and come out to our depot to collect the car,” said Jan Jones, senior manager at Bristol Community Transport.
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“By teaming up with Co-wheels and Bristol City Council, we can provide a wheelchair accessible car in the heart of the City, making a real difference for service users.”
The car will be parked in a dedicated on-street bay in Salisbury Road in Redland. Users will have a Smartcard which will allow them 24-hour access to the car with no need to pick up keys.
Steve Bullock, a scheme member said: “Wheelchair accessible vehicles have made a world of difference, it has enabled me to retain some independence and get to destinations that I could not on public transport, and using taxis would be too expensive.”
Under the new scheme, members are charged on a pay-as-you-go hire basis and is available to any current member of Bristol Community Transport.
The car has been provided by social enterprise car club Co-wheels and director Pierre Fox said it would allow unprecedented access and availability to the public.
“Bristol has always been a city of transport innovation, and this is a big step to opening up mobility and transport options for residents,” he added.
Mark Bradshaw, Bristol City Council’s assistant mayor for transport, said: “It is a priority to see accessible and affordable transport in place for all Bristolians. This dedicated car club is another first for Bristol and is down to partnership working. The Council is glad to have played a part and we want this new wheelchair accessible car club to flourish and become well-used.
“Car clubs are going to increase in importance as word gets out that they are an effective and flexible way of accessing a car or van when you need it.”
The car can be booked by contacting Bristol Car Club at Bristol Community Transport on 0117 9020 157.
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