Serving communities
across Bedfordshire and Luton

Help is at hand for those in South Bedfordshire struggling to access education, training or employment thanks to an exciting new Bedfordshire Rural Transport Partnership scheme. 

Wheels to Work provides an innovative way of overcoming transport barriers to key services with schemes offering individuals their own transport solutions for a 6 - 9 month period until a longer-term solution can be found.  The Scheme is delivered through a 50cc Yamaha scooter loan, which will be provided complete with fully comprehensive motor vehicle insurance, road tax, and provision for servicing costs.  

 

The scheme is eligible to those who meet the following criteria:

 Being of working age (16 - 64) with priority given to those aged 16 - 24
 Living in the South Bedfordshire area (excluding Luton)
 Having limited or no access to transport to employment, education or training opportunities

 The daily journey must be a practical distance for a scooter
  
Clients meeting the criteria will be required to undertake a Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) course, and Rural Ride training, which are all free of charge. Training is available seven days each week, across South Bedfordshire.  Full safety equipment will be provided.  A nominal sum will be charged per month for the use of the scooter, part of which will be invested in a savings programme.

 

Those who do not qualify for a scooter loan will be offered assistance with personalised travel planning, basically information to support your daily travel needs. 

 

The Scheme is principally resourced by Bedfordshire County Council, with additional grants from the Learning And Skills Council, and South Bedfordshire District Council; working in partnership with Job Centre Plus, Connextions, Dunstable College, Leighton Linslade Town Council, and Bedfordshire Youth Service.

 

Wheels2Work is an approach that helps predominantly young, unemployed and disadvantaged people get to work or training. Without a vehicle of their own, some people are not able to get to a job or training; without a job, or the skills to secure a job in the future, they cannot afford the means to get around. Wheels2Work schemes provide a short-term solution to break this vicious circle, so people can secure the employment or skills they need to be able to finance their own long-term transport.  The approach centres on a scooter loan scheme. Some schemes also offer additional services such as: driving lessons; bicycle loans; subsidised bus travel; and grants for minor vehicle improvements (including MOTs and insurance).

The 50 plus schemes that currently exist around England are all different and are run independently by local groups and partnerships. The schemes are unique for a reason; they provide a tailor-made service to meet the needs of their users, their demography and geographical surroundings.

Wheels2Work schemes develop to meet the needs of their customers but will never be fully financed by them, as the people they support tend to come from disadvantaged backgrounds. Schemes are making a real difference by helping people access jobs and training and they could do far more, but they will always need to rely on local funding to operate. By working together Wheels2Work schemes can help get people on the move and into work and training.

For further information please contact Bob Hughes, Wheels2Work Co-ordinator on 01234 832646 or bobh@bedsrcc.org.uk