Taxi card scheme under scrutiny
This project supports thousands of disabled people living in the region.
A taxi project which supports thousands of disabled people during the cost of living crisis has come under scrutiny by Dumfries and Galloway Council chiefs.
The region’s taxi card scheme saw 2,416 individuals who registered being provided with £100 worth of free travel in 2024/25.
However, as part of an annual evaluation of all tackling poverty projects, this scheme came under the headlights after scoring low in terms of value and effectiveness.
It received a score of 18 out of 30, falling short of the benchmark 25 to 30 points.
The issue was discussed at the council’s tackling poverty, inequalities and housing sub committee last week.
The evaluation report tabled at the meeting stated: “It is acknowledged that the current arrangements for the project have been funded for a number of years.
“It is important that we scrutinise and review this project to ensure that the current arrangements are still meeting the needs of the individuals who receive this important support, and it is achieving positive outcomes and is good value for money.”
Stranraer and the Rhins Councillor Willie Scobie suggested that the project may need more money, rather than less or potentially being withdrawn altogether in future.
He said: “I’m quite sure the people who receive the taxi cards will see they’re of great benefit.
“But when you look at it in terms of £100, with the increase in taxi fares there has been, I would say it’s something in the region of a fiver.
“That’s one way, and then a fiver back. So rather than 20 journeys, you’re getting 10. Just 10 throughout the year.
“When I come back to the ones that use it, they’ll see this as great value. But is it really?
“Are we benefitting from that £100, or do we really need to look at increasing that £100 to something more realistic?
“In terms of using the service once per week to go for your shopping, that would only give you 10 weeks.”
Mark Molloy, a council service manager, explained to councillors that each project was scored using the EFQM (the European Foundation for Quality Management) model. This is a globally recognised management framework that supports organisations in improving performance.
He continued: “The community transport and taxi card scheme were two of the lowest scored projects – that’s not to say that they’re not making a significant difference to individuals.
“But if you compare them against the other projects using that consistent (EFQM) framework, they do rank as some of the bottom projects.
“In terms of the budget and amount of money, the officers are delivering the project in line with the agreed budget that’s there.
“As inflation goes up, running costs for taxis go up to ensure they have a fair livelihood, that does result in people have less journeys due to the available budget.”