CT Operators in England will benefit from a 60% increase in funding through the Bus Service Operators Grant (BSOG), the Transport Secretary has announced today (Monday 23rd October). This funding is a core part of CT operator’s income and helps to keep fares down and vital services running for those in our community.
Community transport services in the UK encompass a diverse range of vital transport options, playing a crucial role in enhancing mobility and inclusivity within the wider transport network.
These services utilise various vehicles, ranging from minibuses to mopeds, and include a variety of essential offerings such as voluntary car schemes, community bus services, school transport, hospital transport, dial-a-ride, wheels-to-work, and group hire services.
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.
So far, the programme has involved:
Increasing numbers of Community Transport operators are delivering eBike hire and share schemes to encourage and expand access to active travel. This new resource sets out what these schemes can look like, how to access relevant funding and examples of best practice from Scotland and Wales.
We have ambitious targets to reduce car use by 20% by 2030 and achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2045. Yet we’ve missed our legally binding carbon reduction targets in 8 out of the last 12 years. Transport emissions are stubbornly high, almost unchanged in three decades.
Having re-joined the CTA in May of this year, it has been inspirational to work closely with operators across the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board (ABUHB) footprint. The project has been running since 2021, with Age Connects Torfaen, Blaenau Gwent Car Scheme, Community Volunteers Wales (Risca), Cornerstone Opportunities, Crickhowell Volunteer Bureau, Cymru Creations (Tredegar Community Transport), Disability Can Do, Llanwrtyd Wells Community Transport, The Parish Trust, Torfaen Community Transport being supported and receiving funding to deliver this wonderful project.
The CTA is relieved that the Department for Infrastructure(DfI) in Northern Ireland has confirmed funding for the remainder of the financial year. However, this funding will be reduced by 3.3% which will impact the number of journeys CT organisations can provide.
An independent group of experts, including the Community Transport Association, across the East have opened an inquiry into rural transport seeking views and evidence from people, businesses and organisations with experience of rural transport.
CTA’s Chief Executive, Dr Victoria Armstrong, writes about the invaluable impact of CT Volunteers and why more people should get involved.
With this year’s National Volunteers’ Week upon us, we are reminded to reflect on volunteers’ significant and invaluable impact on the Community Transport sector throughout the UK.