Coronavirus: Lifeline travel links for elderly in Fife are curtailed

Fife Bus, better known as Dial a Ride, and Ring & Ride operations are being curtailed by Fife Council as part of its response to the coronavirus outbreak.

The moves are designed to protect older people and the most vulnerable clients who often rely on the services.

The aim is to help reduce social contact and so the council focuses on vital services.

The council continues to offer essential travel on a one-to-one basis – essential travel being attending medical appointments, GP visits and essential shopping trips.

From today (March 20), Dial A Ride will be limited to one passenger on a vehicle at any given time.

Drivers will apply strict hygiene measures, such as wiping down door handles/seat grips between journeys.

The service will operate only during the day Monday to Friday, and only journeys classed as a priority – ie no other help/means available – will take place to allow as many as possible to use the service.

Ring & Ride, which offers door-to-door transport, will offer a Fife wide service for essential travel only.

Services cancelled to protect our communities are bingo, community centre, lunch club travel and Dial-a-Ride group travel to shopping destinations from outlying areas.

Staff will keep up-to-date with what is happening in the local community – signposting passengers to other services who can also help, such as taxis offering free travel to the most vulnerable,

The council said it would continue to review the services it provides in line with changing circumstances and any government advice.