A CHARITY which provides a travel service for residents across Ryedale has been relaunched with a new name.

Ryedale Community Transport replaces the former Ryecat with the aim of reaching a wider audience.

Along with the name change, new service leaflets to support the range of transport opportunities will now be available.

Ryedale Community Transport’s dedicated booking and driver teams provide a variety of friendly and accessible travel services for people in the area.

Manager Steve Mellalieu hopes the change of name will make the charity’s service clearer.

He said: “The team here at Ryedale Community Transport has been working for some time to relaunch and rebrand the service and to get the message out to all Ryedale residents.

“Services such as the volunteer car scheme, Ring and Ride and Wheels to Work give those in need of transport a viable option to get them to their destination.”

Steve said that while many regular and valued customers understood what Ryecat provided, it was thought that the old name was quite ambiguous for those who are unaware of the charity.

“The new name helps the charity do “exactly what it says on the tin”,” he added.

“We know there are many residents out there who, due to the rurality of the district and recent cuts to other alternative public transport options, have a genuine need for transport.

“Whatever the reason for the journey – to get people to work, or to doctors’ appointments or simply to do the shopping, we want to provide that service, even picking you up from your door.

“There is a feeling that with better information out there, our services could be of benefit to even more of our community.”

Paul Hayward, chairman of the Ryedale Community Transport trustees, said: “Recent austerity measures mean that many of the commercial transport providers can no longer offer the same services that were available at even this time last year.

“We have a very dedicated and friendly staff team at Ryedale Community Transport who are committed to providing a flexible and alternative transport option for the residents of Ryedale that they may not know is available to them.”

For more information visit www.ryedalect.org or phone the booking team on 01653 698888.

Service leaflets will be available at libraries, community centres, doctors’ surgeries or by phoning the Ryedale Community Transport office on 01653 699059.