BOSSES at Blackburn with Darwen Council have saved £600,000 after introducing a range of new transport schemes.

The partnership with Northgate Information Solutions, has also radically improved the quality of transport services in the borough, it is claimed.

Graham Burgess, chief executive of Blackburn with Darwen Council said that the council was working with Northgate to transform a wide range of transport services, especially for vulnerable adults, people with disabilities and children getting to and from school.

He said: “Through the effective and efficient use of resources, the council has radically improved services and will realise efficiencies across council departments until 2010 and beyond. Our close collaboration with Northgate has delivered first-class services for citizens across the borough.”

The council said that improvements have seen a reduced reliance on taxis for adult day care passengers and a full restructuring of regeneration and environmental services, which means improving fleet management maintenance, garaging, spares and accidental damage claims.