Switching to a new patient transfer taxi operator will save £30,000 a year.

It was announced on Friday that ComCab Liverpool would be taking over the taxi transfer contract for patients travelling to hospitals in England from next Monday (March 27).

ComCab was awarded the contract following a competitive tendering exercise.

The Department of Health and Social Care says that patients who travel often should not see any change in service, which will include full assistance and door to door collection and drop-off as standard.

Bridgewater, which had operated the contract for more than 20 years, has appealed against the decision but its appeal was turned down. An online petition gathered well over 2,000 signatures in support of retaining the existing cab firm.

With a fleet of 350 purpose-built vehicles, ComCab Liverpool is the city’s largest taxi service and has a history on Merseyside stretching back almost 60 years.

It carries out about 900 patient transfer journeys a week, with all vehicles in the fleet being wheelchair accessible.

Chief Minister Howard Quayle said: ’ComCab has the biggest fleet in the North West that can take wheelchairs. It has strong track record of work in patient transfer.

’Quality of service is key. Performance will be monitored. If we were always to keep contracts with the same provider prices are going to go up. This will provide £30,000 a year savings to the department.’

Health and Social Care Minister Kate Beecroft MHK said: ’Tendering exercises are not solely about cost and in this instance there was a 50 per cent weighting for the quality of service.

’I would seek to reassure the public that our contract makes crystal clear the standard of service the department expects patients to receive when being transported to and from their hospital appointments.

’It is clear ComCab Liverpool has a strong track record through an existing and long-standing patient transfer contract, and can offer expertise, high quality customer service and value for money.’

Passenger watchdog TravelWatch queried whether there will be a DHSC representative in Liverpool to resolve problems, so ’vulnerable and stressed patients are not used as guinea pigs’.

A spokesman said: ’Mistakes were made some six years ago, when the appointment process resulted in a contractor who failed to deliver, and who had to be replaced at short notice.

’It is to be hoped lessons have been learned, and the new service will be a success.’

ComCab Liverpool has provided patient transport for the North West Ambulance Service and has a new contract with the West Midlands Ambulance Service.