Driving Mobility gains £1.5m in funding to help improve transport accessibility

Driving Mobility has been allocated a fund of £1.5 million to help expand its HUBs accessible travel information service.

The new funding will support all 13 Driving Mobility Centres across England to roll out a ‘HUBs Mobility Service’.

These services help people stay mobile after they have been advised to stop driving or if they are unable to learn to drive due to their disabilities, offering them advice on alternatives such as powered wheelchairs, community transport and local services.

The HUBs have been piloted at seven of the Driving Mobility Centres over the last two years and the organisation said they have already helped over 4,000 people “regain and retain confidence to travel”.

Edward Trewhella, Driving Mobility chief executive, said: “This funding ensures our HUBs service can now evolve to the next level.

“Our team has proven with the latest accurate information and expert knowledge, that we can successfully guide individuals back to safe and appropriate transport options, without needing a car.

“The Government recognises that inclusion, equality and accessibility are vital to strengthening everyone’s well-being as we exit the pandemic – our centres are proud to underpin this commitment.”

Driving Mobility is supported by the Department for Transport (DfT) and provides a range of services including ‘fitness to drive’ assessments from its nationwide centres.

Led by occupational therapists and approved driving instructors, these services strive to facilitate personal mobility and driving independence for clients mostly signposted from the DVLA, Motability, Police and the NHS.

If driving is not a viable option for clients, its new HUBs service offers impartial advice on transport alternatives such as community transport and accessible bus, coach, rail and plane travel.

Wendy Morton, Accessibility Minister, added: “This funding will help people travel with confidence and comes just in time as our nation rebuilds from Covid.

“We want to help everyone to be mobile and these vital HUBs Mobility Services will provide life-changing travel advice keeping people connected to their friends, work and support networks.”