THE future of community transport services in Dudley has been thrown into doubt following the news the operators of Ring and Ride have gone into administration.

Matthew Ingram and Tyrone Courtman, of Duff & Phelps Ltd, have been appointed joint administrators of Accessible Transport Group Limited, Ring and Ride West Midlands Limited and ATG Contract Services Limited - it was announced this morning (Monday).

The charities provide accessible transport services for people with mobility problems or those experiencing social isolation and together they are the largest accessible transport provider in the UK - employing more than 700 staff and operating more than 600 vehicles from nine depots across the West Midlands.

Accessible Transport Group Limited is the group holding company and holds all property assets as well as providing head office functions. Ring and Ride West Midlands Limited provides the ring and ride service in Dudley, Sandwell, Birmingham, Coventry, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton, while ATG Contract Services Limited provides a home to school service on behalf of Birmingham City Council and also operates subsidised bus routes under the IGo Brand in collaboration with Transport for West Midlands.

Matthew Ingram, joint administrator, said: “The majority of the services the charities provide are vital to those that rely on them for transport on journeys they would not otherwise be able to make.

"We understand the uncertainty and concern that the appointment of administrators will have on all of the service users, in addition to the employees, suppliers and supporters of the charities.

"We are in contact with Birmingham City Council, Transport for West Midlands and the West Midlands Combined Authority and are working with them to try and ensure that there is no interruption to the day to day operations of the charities whilst we seek to secure the long term provision of the essential services that they provide.

"We will of course be communicating either directly or in collaboration with the local authorities to all of those who are affected by our appointment to ensure that they understand its ramifications and minimise the uncertainty as far as we are able."