City of York Council's on-going review of its community transport provision looks set to save more than £800,000 over the two-and-a-half year lifespan of the project and produce savings of more than £650,000 each year after that.

The review is being carried out by consultants Northgate Kendric Ash in partnership with the council and covers transport arrangements for vulnerable children and adults; children getting to and from schools; and people with disabilities.

It aims to investigate how the council can get the most out of its own fleet of vehicles, and how partnership working with other organisations can provide affordable and effective solutions to meeting community transport needs.

So far the project has led to the establishment of a framework of 33 taxi and bus suppliers, and the use of a software system that enables the council to opt for the most cost-effective fare on any given route. This has generated savings of 20 per cent on taxi journeys paid for by the council.

The review is also examining how adults accessing day care and children with special education needs are transported to and from their daily activities. Changes have already been introduced at Applefields School, with two new drivers and two escorts appointed so that more children can travel to school together, rather than being driven in individually. This has also reduced the number of vehicles picking up and dropping off around the school, minimising the potential for accidents.

As the review continues, it is hoped that further potential to deliver more cost-effective and efficient services will be identified.

Simon Wing of Northgate Kendric Ash said: "The initial progress has been very encouraging and we have been able to deliver significant savings for the council but not at the expense of the quality of service provided to the community.

"The changes introduced so far have been very well received and we hope to build on this success over the next couple of years to deliver savings of between 10 and 20 per cent on the total cost of providing community transport, which is around £6.4 million per year."

Bill Hodson, the council's dircector of Housing and Adult Social Services, is overseeing the review. He added: "The council has entered into a long-term partnership with a company with a successful track record in achieving efficiencies in community transport. We are already seeing the benefits and this is demonstrated by the changes that have enabled us to provide improved services in a more cost-effective way."