First funding cuts hit ECT
Like everyone, ECT is apprehensive about the national spending review that will take place in October, and we've already felt the initial tremors from this. In early August, it was confirmed that the abolition of the South East England Development Agency will mean the end of funding for our MK Connect service in Milton Keynes. We're working with the project officers to find the best way forward, and there is some limiting funding already committed that will be protected, however it will undoubtedly have an impact on the service in the longer-term. At the moment, MK Connect will operate unchanged, and we'll provide more details in the autumn.
Group Transport Launched in Cheshire
ECT's delighted to be launching a new Group Transport service from our Cheshire depot. Based on the hugely successful model that operates in West London, our Group transport service will help community and voluntary groups get out and about, using accessible vehicles and professional drivers. We can take residents from supported living schemes out to lunch, or community groups on day excursions, or Scout groups to camp! If you're involved in a local organisation, just give us a call to find out more.
Launch of PlusBus in West London!
ECT has confirmed that from 4 May 2010, we'll be offering individual door-to-door transport in West London, available to people aged 60+ or with mobility difficulties. Journeys can be booked for trips to the shops, GP, meals out, etc, and our buses can accommodate wheelchairs or scooters (provided this is advised at the time of booking); all of our drivers are trained, CRB-checked and friendly! The standard fare is £5 per person single, however we're offering half-price transport to Uxbridge Town Centre on Wednesdays and to Ruislip Lido on Tuesdays. Have a look at our PlusBus page for more details.
Summer Day Trip Progammes Launched!
ECT is delighted to have launched its biggest programmes of summer Day Trips yet, for May to August this year! For the first time, trips will be offered in all of our operating areas - Cheshire, Milton Keynes and West London. All of the trips offer accessible transport to different places of interest, with pick-ups from the home address. They're a great way of getting out and about in the summer months! Click on our Day Trips tab for more information.
ECT seeks to appoint new Board of Trustees
January 2010
Ealing Community Transport (ECT) is going through an exciting stage in our development. Following a governance review, ECT is aiming to register with the Charity Commission with full conversion expected on 1st April 2010. We are now looking to recruit trustees and a Chair to provide strategic direction, support the Chief Executive and take the organisation into its new phase.
ECT operates a variety of community transport services throughout the country, with depots in West London, Milton Keynes and Cheshire. With over 150 staff, we are a well established organisation with a fascinating 30 year history. ECT is an award winning organisation, a model for other transport groups in the UK. These positions present an excellent opportunity to support your local community.
Experience
We are looking for Trustees/Chair who have one or more of the following skills or experience:
• Management within a medium sized organisation;
• Experience in the not for profit/public/commercial sector;
• Financial Management;
• HR issues;
• Legal issues;
• Ability to put forward users' perspective;
• Management or board level experience in passenger transport service provision;
• Building networks & alliances
Time Commitment
Full Board meetings are held every two months. Other involvement e.g. in sub-committees and preparatory work as appropriate is anticipated.
Benefits
These positions are voluntary and unpaid.
How to apply
To find out more, click here.
Alternatively, please email Anna Whitty or phone 020 8813 3210 for an informal chat.
ECT publishes Annual Review 2008/09 - Making a Difference to Peoples Lives
November 2009
ECT has published its Annual Review for 2008/09. The Review details ECT's focus on sustainability and consolidation over the last 18 months. Click here to read the Review.
ECT’s PlusBus Included In National Transport Award Shortlisting
Cheshire East and Cheshire West & Chester Councils were short listed for ‘Most Improved Local Authority' in the prestigious National Transport Awards 2009
September 2009
ECT's innovative PlusBus was amongst a number of inspiring projects instigated by Cheshire's Transport Coordination Team. The huge success and popularity of the PlusBus is reflected in the impressive results (discussed in the short listing) of 39% passenger growth within the first year of operation.
This follows a similar short listing at last years National Awards for Milton Keynes Council and ECT's MK PlusBus service.
For more information about ECT's services in Cheshire including the PlusBus, please click here.
ECT and Cheshire CC Awarded ‘Best Urban CT’
ECT’s Cheshire operation has been awarded the National award of ‘Best Urban CT Scheme’ by the Community Transport Association UK.
November 2008
ECT's Cheshire operation has been awarded ‘Best Urban CT Scheme' by the Community Transport Association UK. The award relates to ECT's door to door PlusBus service in the Chester, Ellesmere Port and Neston areas. Within it's first year of operation, ECT transformed the delivery of this service. Introduced in October 2007, it achieved a 39% increase in the number of passenger trips in its first year of operation.
Cheshire's Executive Member for Highways and Transportation, Eveleigh Moore-Dutton said: "Real winners of any successful service are the local people who enjoy and benefit from using it. However it is a great achievement that the combined results of Cheshire County Council, Chester City Council and Ellesmere Port and Neston Borough Council working with the ECT Group have received this prestigious national award. It is important to also recognise that it's the positive attitude of the drivers and booking staff who make a real difference for PlusBus passengers"
Anna Whitty, Chief Executive of ECT Group said: "Working with our partners in Cheshire has been a very positive experience for ECT and it is good to see that our achievements have been recognised. But our real reward is enabling our passengers who would otherwise be housebound and isolated, to maintain independent lives and links with the world outside their doors."
For more information about ECT's services in Cheshire including the PlusBus, please click here.
All Change As ECT Moves In New Direction
ECT Group, one of the UK's leading social enterprises refocuses on the provision of high quality passenger transport services
3 June 2008
ECT Group, one of the UK's leading social enterprises, is moving in a new direction it was announced today. The Group, whilst retaining its commitment to the provision of high quality public services for the community and to sustainability and partnership working, is preparing for major changes in direction.
ECT Recycling - part of the ECT Group - has been acquired by May Gurney, one of the UK's most successful maintenance and support services companies and listed on the London stock market (AIM).
The ECT Group (which includes the charity Ealing Community Transport) will continue to operate community transport services in Ealing, Milton Keynes, Cheshire and the 195 bus service. It will maintain its joint venture with Hackney Community Transport (E&HCT), transporting construction workers within the Olympic Park, on behalf of the ODA.
The rail businesses - RMS, Weardale and Dartmoor - are in the process of being sold to new owners with the financial firepower and resources to develop them successfully.
Cuckoo Lane Health Care will become an independent organisation. Its association with ECT made Cuckoo Lane one of Britain's most well known nurse-led practices.
Anna Whitty, who becomes Chief Executive of the ECT Group commented: "From community transport to mainstream bus services, ECT Group will continue to put our passengers first, thanks to the staff and volunteers who make our services run so smoothly.
"It has been an exciting time for us with the expansion of our services up and down the country and our new joint venture with Hackney Community Transport.
"We look forward to working in partnership; whether it is with local authorities, charities, other community transport organisations, or government schemes such as SureStart, to provide quality, accessible, sustainable community and public transport services".
Read the full press release here.
ODA Transport Contract Award
The Olympic Delivery Authority awards major transport contract to ECT and HCT Group
March 2008
Full press release about this announcement can be found at the website of the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA).