News
1st Apr 2011
Residents in the Boston and Skegness areas are being reassured that help for their local travel needs is just a call away - as the county council’s CallConnect bus service expands into the locality. From 1 April, the award-winning bus network will cover the areas around Boston and Skegness, thanks to a partnership with East Lindsey District Council. The service promises to offer large numbers of people easier access to town centres, shops and other local facilities including doctors’ surgeries and hospitals. CallConnect is a demand-responsive bus service which allows customers to pre-book their journeys between 7am-7pm Monday-Friday and 8am-6pm on Saturdays. Currently celebrating its tenth anniversary, the service has won national praise as a travel solution for people living in isolated or rural communities. Councillor William Webb, executive member highways and transport, said: “We know how important public transport links are to Lincolnshire residents, especially in rural areas. Consequently, especially at a time when our support to bus services has had to take its share of recent cuts, we’re pleased to expand our fantastic CallConnect service. This will help more people, including those affected by the reductions, to access facilities and resources in their market towns and town centres.” Anyone can use the CallConnect service for any reason whether for work, education, shopping, social or for medical appointments. The new services will be operated by fully accessible minibuses and people living within the Skegness and Boston areas can also use the service if they are unable to use conventional public transport due to a disability or mobility impairment. Following the closure of the Dial-a-Ride service in Skegness and Boston, East Lindsey District Council will be working in partnership with the County Council by providing half of the funding toward the Skegness CallConnect service and will also be making a contribution towards the Boston CallConnect service which will also serve some communities in East Lindsey. John Medler from East Lindsey District Council, added: “CallConnect is an important service and our arrangement with Lincolnshire County Council means the scheme can now be extended across the District to Skegness and the surrounding area. We hope that local people make use of the new service that will provide easier access to local services and shops.” New leaflets providing details of the Boston and Skegness CallConnect services will be available from local libraries, shops and district offices, and there will also be door-to-door deliveries in smaller villages. Information can also be found online at www.lincsinterconnect.com or by calling 0845 234 3344. In April and May, the CallConnect team will also be staging a series of road shows in selected villages, helping people to find out more about the service - see below timetable.
