Policy / Research

CTA has five Policy & Research priorities which focus our work as the voice of the Community Transport sector.

1.    Modernising for Growth
2.    Improving Access to Health & Social Care
3.    Investing in Community Solutions
4.    Accelerating Community-Led Climate Action
5.    Delivering a Fair Deal for Volunteers

This priority is all about realising the potential of community-led climate action to transform our neighbourhoods into more accessible, attractive and safe places for everyone by reducing private car use, congestion and pollution.

Community Transport will be a key partner in decarbonising transport and achieving net zero carbon emissions across the UK by 2050. Our sector can make a major contribution by transitioning to electric buses, minibuses, cars and vans, but also by encouraging and empowering people to travel more sustainably, whether that’s by community, public or shared transport or active travel. We need to accelerate community-led climate action through an expansion of zero-emission fleets, electric vehicle charging infrastructure and community-owned projects from car clubs to cycling classes.

Under this priority, we’re campaigning for:

  • Investment in Community Transport to design and deliver local sustainable transport solutions which harness the full potential of community-led climate action to increase modal shift, reduce private car use and reduce carbon emissions;
  • Investment in Community Transport’s transition to zero-emission fleets and engage with the automotive industry to prevent the development of electric minibuses and electric Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles from lagging behind;
  • Reform of the planning system to secure developer contributions for Community Transport, such as community-owned shared bikes and cars, in new neighbourhoods to prevent forced car ownership, reduce car dependency and encourage sustainable and active travel; and,
  • Local authorities planning Clean Air Zones or Low Emission Zones to work closely with Community Transport to develop their plans – including consideration of appropriate exemptions and investment plans for fleet replacement.

You can find out more about our work on this priority on these pages or in our CTA Manifesto for the UK General Election 2024 here.