UK Prepares to Celebrate Community-Powered Transport

UK charity leads first-ever Community Transport Week 

Local charities and community groups across the UK are preparing to celebrate the first-ever Community Transport Week this October.

For nearly 60 years, Community Transport has delivered lifeline services to keep communities connected, helping millions of people to access colleges, hospitals, schools, shops, universities, workplaces and more, as well as creating local jobs and volunteering opportunities. 

Community Transport Week offers a chance to celebrate the sector’s achievements, diversity and impact – from community-owned buses and car clubs which reduce car use and carbon emissions, accessible services which empower older people and disabled people to live more independently, through to inclusive active travel and ‘wheels to work’ schemes. Community Transport is a vital and often hidden part of our national transport network.

The Community Transport Association (CTA) says the theme of the inaugural event – ‘Bridging the Gap, Connecting Communities’ – highlights how non-profit groups bridge gaps in the public transport system and bring people together. The event is led by the CTA and supported by the Department for Transport.

Large parts of the UK rely on Community Transport because of a lack of accessible or affordable public transport in their local area. As bus networks shrink, communities are increasingly stepping up to the plate to deliver their own solutions to unmet transport needs.  

Dr Victoria Armstrong, CTA’s CEO, said: “We are thrilled to be launching the UK’s first Community Transport Week to celebrate the amazing impact of our sector in urban, rural and island communities across the UK.  

 “Community Transport is essential to people facing transport barriers of any kind and provides a lifeline service to so many people across the country. During CT Week, we will celebrate and say thank you to our sector’s drivers, volunteers, leaders and trustees for their commitment and dedication.

 “Our members have exciting plans for community activities, volunteer celebrations and visits from councillors and MPs during Community Transport Week. The CTA team is also going to be out and about all over England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland joining in the celebrations. We can’t wait to meet more staff, volunteers and passengers across the country.  

 She added: “We’d like to thank the Department for Transport for their support for CTA and Community Transport Week. We look forward to strengthening our partnership in the months and years ahead."