A VITAL service helping elderly and disabled people get around will continue operating in the Wee County.

The Clackmannanshire Door to Door Accessible Transport Service, operated by Dial-a-Journey, has been granted permission to carry on mostly as normal.

This was made possible by negotiations between Dial-a-Journey and Clackmannanshire Council, with the latter providing the budget to make the service possible.

Initially, the door-to-door service was supposed to be scrapped in Clacks from Sunday, August 11 due to the contract expiring.

This has now been extended for the door to door service to continue until March 31, 2025 – with the only change being that the service will no longer operate on Wednesdays.

Duncan Hearsum, chief executive for Dial-a-Journey, said: “We’re pleased to be able to report that following discussions with Clackmannanshire Council, a way forward has been found to continue the Clackmannanshire Door-to-Door Accessible Transport Service beyond August 11, 2024 to March 31 2025.

“However, in order to reach a solution that provides a level of service that addresses concerns Dial-a-Journey has voiced about being able to deliver the current level of service within the available budget, it has been necessary to revise the days of operation.

“Using passenger trip figures, Wednesday has been identified as the day of least demand, therefore from week commencing August 12, the service will operate Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

“Everything else remains the same.”

This allows the service to continue operating the door-to-door service, which many elderly people and those with disabilities rely on to get to vital hospital appointments.

Previously, one Clacks resident told the Advertiser that she was dependant on the service to make hospital appointments or see relatives in Strathcarron Hospice, outlining the necessity of the bus.

Duncan added: “This has been a difficult time for Dial-a-Journey and Clackmannanshire Council in trying to reach a solution that maintains this much-valued service while the council continues to look at travel arrangements overall.

“Whatever the future solution is, Dial-a-Journey want to be part of it and be able to continue providing the additional care and support that other transport solutions may not offer.”

The council confirmed the continuation of Dial-a-Journey via a press release on their website.

Within that, they confirmed that council officers will be writing to service users soon to update them of the changes.

Council leader Ellen Forson said: "We are currently undertaking a review of transport services provided by the Council which will inform the future delivery of public transport in Clackmannanshire.

"This extension to the contract with Dial-a-Journey will give the Council time to consider our ambitions to develop a broader sustainable transport solution for our communities here in Clackmannanshire.

“I am pleased that we have been able to retain this service for this extended period and I am sure this news will also be welcomed by service users.”