A Phone ‘n’ Ride passenger who travelled on the service 542 times and covered more than 1,100 miles in 2021 – equivalent to travelling the Channel Tunnel 50 times – has won a prize to recognise her travels.
Grimsby resident Karen Oliver beat off stiff competition to win the annual Phone ‘n’ Ride Ridership Award, which goes to the passenger who used the service most during the year.
“I’m partially sighted so I rely on this wonderful service to take me to my place of work and home again,” says Karen. “Without it, I couldn’t work, let alone all the other reasons I need it for.
“I also use the bus to take me to my swimming at Grimsby Leisure Centre, to get to town for shopping and to attend my medical appointments. I’m thrilled to be the winner and it’s a lovely surprise. It’s a case of use it or lose it – people need to know about and use the service or it will disappear.”
Karen uses the service to get to and from Able4U – the business she set up in 2011 which provides wet rooms, bathroom and kitchen fitting and adaptations for disabled people.
Phone ‘n’ Ride is an on-demand bus service run by North East Lincolnshire Council and its regeneration partner EQUANS. Passengers can book where they want to be collected from and where they want to be dropped off within the borough.
Councillor Stewart Swinburn, portfolio holder for environment and transport, said: “It is great to hear how much Karen values the Phone ‘n’ Ride service. It’s a lifeline for many people by making it easier for them to go about their everyday activities such as medical appointments, education, work, shopping and social events.
“The service plays a key part in providing other methods of transport for residents and visitors who are unable to use ordinary public transport or a private car.”
Cllr Swinburn presented Karen with the award, a bouquet of flowers and shopping voucher worth £30.
How to use Phone ‘n’ Ride:
- You can register and book a journey using the online service at www.phonenride.com or by calling the Phone ‘n’ Ride team on (01472) 324440 – 8.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Bookings can be made up to 14 days in advance.
- The Phone ‘n’ Ride service operates 6.30am to 6.30pm, Monday to Saturday (except bank holidays).
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