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Anna Whitty MBE is the Chief Executive of Ealing Community Transport (ECT), which provides safe, accessible and affordable community transport to people unable to use mainstream transport due to mobility or other difficulties, or because ordinary public transport is unavailable in their area.
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\n\n\nFormed in 1979, it now offers its services across not just its West London namesake borough, but also in Cheshire, and Dorset.
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\n\n\nAnna tells Leon how community transport serves people who \u2018fall between the gaps\u2019 of mainstream provision and are the \u2018hidden heroes\u2019.\xa0
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\n\n\nThe independent charity provides a door-to-door service for those who can\u2019t use public transport. Anna explains why door-to-door \u2013 rather than \u2018kerb-to-kerb\u2019 \u2013 is so important.
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\n\n\nThey chat about ECT\u2019s role in providing accessible transport during the 2012 London Olympics, and how it demonstrated to the world what a good accessible transport network looks like.
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\n\n\nThey move on to chat about how improvements in customer service and operations have been made, including MiDAS (Minibus Driver Awareness Scheme) and the high standards ECT sets with regards to recruitment and training of drivers.\xa0
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\n\n\nAnna closes by explaining how her staff pulled together to help community in need during the first Covid lockdown.