CHESHIRE County Council and the ECT Group, which operates the PlusBus service, have scooped the prize for Best Urban Community Transport Service 2008 at the national Community Transport Awards ceremony.

The PlusBus service for the Chester, Ellesmere Port and Neston areas was introduced in October 2007, providing essential local transport for people who are unable to use local bus services because of a disability or mobility impairment.

Its growing popularity is shown by a 39% increase in the number of passenger trips.

The service is provided with financial support from Cheshire County Council, Chester City Council and Ellesmere Port and Neston Borough Council and is operated by a modern fleet of green wheelchair accessible minibuses.

Cheshire’s executive member for highways and transportation Eveleigh Moore-Dutton said: “Real winners of any successful service are the local people who enjoy and benefit from using it.

“However it is a great achievement that the combined results of Cheshire County Council, Chester City Council and Ellesmere Port and Neston Borough Council working with the ECT Group have received this prestigious national award.

“It is important to also recognise that it’s the positive attitude of the drivers and journey booking staff who make a real difference for PlusBus passengers.

“I would also like to pay tribute to our dedicated staff who have worked hard setting up new arrangements for the benefit of the people of Cheshire.”

Anna Whitty, chief executive of ECT Group, said: “Working with our partners in Cheshire has been a very positive experience for ECT, and it is good to see that our achievements have been recognised.

“But our real reward is enabling our passengers, who would otherwise be housebound and isolated, to maintain independent lives and links with the world outside their front doors.”

Cheshire County Council with Crewe, Nantwich and Congleton Dial A Ride Association were also short listed in the same awards for Best Rural Community Transport Service 2008 for its innovative services operating in the Malpas area, providing links for day care, education and shopping.