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Fuel Costs Force Charity Dial-A-Ride Price Hike
13 Apr
Summary
- A transport charity must find an extra £20,000 due to soaring fuel expenses.
- The dial-a-ride service increased its return trip price from £6 to £6.50.
- An eco shop owner has seen some import costs rise by 30% overnight.
A vital community transport charity in Gloucestershire is facing significant financial pressure, requiring an additional £20,000 to cover escalating fuel expenses. Sheppard House Health and Social Care, which provides a dial-a-ride service for individuals with mobility issues in Newent and surrounding villages, has had to increase its fares. The cost per return trip has risen from £6 to £6.50, a necessary adjustment due to the "impossible" operational costs.
This price increase comes after years of maintaining the previous fare. The charity's manager noted that the fuel price hike, estimated at around 35%, has pushed them to the brink of profitability. Separately, a local eco shop owner in Lydney is also grappling with rising import costs for herbs and spices, with some items increasing by 30% overnight. Despite these financial strains, she expressed a strong commitment to keeping her business open for the love of it, even if it means operating without immediate profit.
