Department for Transport Announces £2 Million Extension to Community Minibus Fund

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I am delighted to announce the second round of the Community Minibus Fund which will see £2 million made available for community minibuses.

Community minibuses lie at the heart of the local communities they serve providing vital links to medical services, shops, and social events. They are particularly important in rural and isolated areas, helping people to get around and participate in local life.

We launched the first round of the hugely successful £25 million fund in 2014, to provide new minibuses across England. More than 300 charities, and community groups, many of whom are CTA members have been allocated more than 350 minibuses.

I’ve seen first-hand the difference that this fund has had on organisations and communities and community minibus providers have told me that vehicles purchased through the fund have enabled them to expand their operations, helping to connect more people to their communities than ever before.

We want to do all we can to support these organisations that already do so much for their communities which is why we committed this significant amount of money.

Applications for the second round of funding are now open and the fund will be administered on behalf of the Department for Transport by the Community Transport Association. We’re pleased that they will be using their expertise to help make a real difference to people’s lives.

We’ve also chosen the Community Transport Association to administer the second round of funding as they have the connection with the community transport sector that makes them perfectly placed partners.

Information on the application process, including an application form and detailed guidance on eligibility for funding can be found on the Community Transport Association’s website: http://www.ctauk.org/advice-and-information/minibus-fund.aspx. Applications close on 2 December 2016 and I look forward to seeing the continued impact that this fund will have on communities across the country.