It is more important than ever to engage with key stakeholders and get involved in policy discussions. We’ve seen in the previous sections that while the Community Transport sector delivers a variety of vital services to a wide range of passengers, the sector does face considerable challenges.
Vehicles are vital to Community Transport, whether owned by the CTO or volunteers. Most CTO vehicles are minibuses, but there are many other types of vehicles within the sector.
Just as CTOs provide many different types of services, so the number of number and character of trips are determined by the type and size of the organisation, the passengers being taken and the environment that the CTO is operating in. Respondents were asked to provide top-line figures for their monthly operations.
Community Transport services emerge to fill a gap in existing transport provision. Whether it is because there are potential passengers with needs that cannot be served by existing transport, or because of gaps in the transport network that leave passengers without a public transport alternative, Community Transport services are designed to meet the needs of a specific set of passengers.
Some challenges require a coordinated, national approach. To tackle these, we will assemble sector representatives from across England up to three times a year. These gatherings will provide a platform to discuss key issues, collaborate on solutions, and oversee regional activities.
In 2023, the sector identified 12 national priorities. While some action may be taken on all of them it was agreed that the initial focus will be on the following key areas:
As part of the Community Transport Association’s ongoing Mapping England project, we are excited to complete research focused on the very heart of community transport—the passengers.
Our Passenger Survey was designed to gather critical insights into the demographics, motivations, and experiences of those who use Community Transport. If you’d like to participate.
