Is There a Stealth Plan to Shut Ealing Community Transport?
Opposition alleges rent increase could drive charity under
Ealing Community Transport staff help a child get off the bus. Picture: Ealing Council
April 11, 2025
The Liberal Democrats in Ealing are claiming that there is an unpublicised plan to end the relationship that the council has with Ealing Community Transport (ECT).
ECT is a charity that has been providing accessible and affordable community transport services in borough since 1979. These services include the PlusBus, offering door-to-door transport for individuals who find it difficult to use public transport, and group transport services for voluntary and community organizations, charities, social groups, and schools. Its distinctive green buses can often be seen around the area dropping off vulnerable individuals at the Michael Flanders centre in Acton, or Cowgate in Greenford as well as providing transport for children with Special Education Needs or Disability (SEND) or specialist door-to-door services for those who find public transport difficult to use.
Cllr Andrew Steed, the Lib Dem spokesperson on Adults’ Services says that he has uncovered changes which he claims could drive Ealing Community Transport out of business by increasing its financial burden. The rent for its base in Greenford is being increased by 150% and the rise is being backdated by two years. This means that ECT’s annual rent has risen to £158,000 up from £63,000, which the opposition councillor says the charity can’t afford.
Cllr Steed said, “It is disappointing as the opposition to uncover Ealing Labour trying to hide secrets when it should be open and democratic about its processes. Is this part of a bigger stealth programme by Ealing Labour to reduce costs and cut services for vulnerable residents, like the proposed closure of Michael Flanders and Cowgate centres, as well as proposal to reduce Children’s centres. I am looking to finding answers to questions regarding this rise in ECT costs and whether it will result in the collapse of ECT echoing the folding of Hounslow Community Services.”
An Ealing Council spokesperson said, “Ealing Community Transport (ECT) has benefitted from having its rent held at a low level for a significant number of years.
“In line with recent legislation, Ealing Council needs to be transparent in the provision of any subsidies, including rental subsidies and must not distort market competition by doing so.
“Ealing Council carried out a rent review of ECT, in line with their lease, as part of standard commercial practice. This review was based on market evidence, and the figure represents a number of factors including: a significant increase in demand for industrial land and because costs, such as utilities which have risen sharply recently, are included as part of the rent. In addition, as this is a 5 year rent review, any increase in rent is compounded compared to a year-on-year rent increase.”
We have asked Ealing Community Transport for comment.
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