Skip to content

Bromsgrove District Council has selected local charity BARN to run the ‘BURT’ community transport service until 2026.

BARN (Bromsgrove and Redditch Network) has run BURT since 2017 and can now continue to run it for five more years, after winning the latest tender from the district council.

Bromsgrove District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Strategic Housing and Health and Wellbeing, Cllr Shirley Webb, said: “Anyone who uses BURT will tell you that the people at BARN have done a fantastic job these past few years, so I’m pleased that they can now continue to do so after securing the contract.

“BURT meets an important need where, particularly in rural areas, people could otherwise become isolated because of a lack of transport that’s suitable for their needs.”

BARN’s Chief Executive, Gary Roskell, said: “We really appreciate Bromsgrove District Council's faith in us to deliver this service, and it's all thanks to our amazing volunteers and team. We've been keeping in touch with our passengers throughout the pandemic to make sure they have everything they need, and we’re helping them get out again as soon as they are able. This contract gives us the stability to build the service back up to pre-crisis levels, and our aim is to develop it even further.”

BURT, which stands for Bromsgrove Urban and Rural Transport, has been Bromsgrove District’s local community transport minibus service since 2009.

It helps residents of the district who are unable to make essential journeys by conventional transport, either because of personal mobility or disability difficulties, or because suitable public transport is not available.

The BURT minibus is adapted for wheelchair users and helps people get to fitness classes, life-after-stroke sessions, dementia clubs, social activities and friendship groups, and more, or sometimes just to the shops.

A new BURT bus was brought into service in 2018 with help from community fundraisers.

To find out more about the service, including how to volunteer with BARN to help run it, go to www.burtrides.org.uk or call 01527 585893.