Duff & Phelps fully secures future of Midlands mobility provider

The joint administrators of Accessible Transport Group have successfully sold its former premises in Aston to the West Midlands Accessible Transport firm established out of its collapse. Now operating as a subsidiary of National Express, West Midlands Accessible Transport continues to operate accessible mobility for children and young adults with special educational needs.

In March 2019, more than 700 jobs were put at risk after a West Midlands transport group entered administration. Accessible Transport Group, Ring and Ride West Midlands and Accessible Transport Group Contract Services appointed Matthew Ingram and Tyrone Courtman, both of Duff & Phelps, as joint administrators amid a wider crunch for the UK’s third sector, with many charities currently suffering the effects of a noted downturn in donations and government support.

Together the three charities constituted the largest accessible transport provider in the UK, operating over 600 vehicles from nine depots across the West Midlands. The groups were soon safeguarded, as  the administrators quickly agreed a deal for them to be bought up.

National Express bought the organisations out of administration in July 2019. The three groups have since continued to operate as West Midlands Accessible Transport, a subsidiary of the national transport giant, with all staff retained and due to receive the Real Living Wage as part of National Express’ commitment to the campaign.

Following this, Ingram and Courtman have now successfully sold the former Accessible Transport Group premises in Aston, to the West Midlands Accessible Transport group. The sale of the freehold property to West Midlands Accessible Transport adds further certainty to the future of service provision in the region. It enables West Midlands Accessible Transport to provide accessible transport services for people in the West Midlands who experience mobility impairment or social isolation in urban and rural environments, together with home to school services for children and young adults with special educational needs.

Ingram stated, “We have today secured the sale of the site to the transport service provider itself. The deal we have negotiated will provide a stable base for the business, ensuring the long-term provision of these vital services across the West Midlands.”