A POPULAR community transport service in Llanidloes is in “real danger of closure” if money can’t be raised to plug a £10,000 shortfall in the scheme’s finances.

Staff, volunteers and friends of Llanidloes Dial-A-Ride will be taking part in a sponsored walk next week in a bid to raise funds to keep the service going as part of a series of events.

Organisers of Dial-A-Ride said that the scheme has over 300 members and allows many people access to services like health centres they otherwise wouldn’t have.

It has been running its “vital service” to residents for the past 16 years, but now soaring fuel, maintenance and insurance costs, and the loss of grant money from outside bodies mean it is in “real danger of closure”.

Ian Brown, the Dial-A-Ride scheme co-ordinator in Llanidloes, told the Cambrian News: “The Dial-A-Ride scheme has suffered the loss of a major grant aider recently and we are looking at ways of making up some of the shortfall.

“The long-term future of the whole scheme in the Llanidloes area could be under threat if further funding is not secured.

“The Dial-A-Ride scheme has over 300 members and many rely on the transport to access basic services like the health centre, shopping and hairdressing.

“The costs of vehicle maintenance and insurance have increased significantly and fuel is expensive.

“The scheme is facing a shortfall of approximately £10,000 this year and unless more funds are raised there is a real danger of closure after 16 years of service.”

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