Administrators secure new funding for transport group

The administrators of the largest accessible transport provider in the UK have secured new funding for the group as it works to secure the long term future of the service.

Last week, Matthew Ingram and Tyrone Courtman, both of Duff & Phelps, were appointed joint administrators of Accessible Transport Group Limited, Ring and Ride West Midlands Limited and ATG Contract Services Limited.

The group employs 700 staff and operates more than 600 vehicles from nine depots across the West Midlands.

Today, the administrators announced they have agreed funding from Birmingham City Council and Transport for West Midlands, which they said will ensure that there is no interruption to the day-to-day services provided.

Ingram said: “This is great news for those who rely on these accessible transport services here in the West Midlands. The call centre remains fully operational and therefore we would urge them to continue to contact their service provider in the normal way.”

Accessible Transport Group is the group holding company and holds all property assets, and provides head office functions.

Ring and Ride West Midlands provides the ring and ride service in the seven metropolitan districts: Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton.

The third operation – ATG Contract Services – provides a home to school service on behalf of Birmingham City Council and also operated subsidised bus routes under the IGo Brand in collaboration with Transport for West Midlands.

Ingram added: “We are very aware that the majority of the services that the charities provide are vital to those that rely on them so we are delighted to have been able to secure new funding as we now work to secure the long term future of the service.”