Experts reviewing rural transport open call for evidence to tackle transport deserts in the East 

Share your insight on rural mobility through the new Transport East Strategy Hub

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. 

Drushti is a 22-year-old international student from Mumbai studying at the University of Bath.  Coming to the UK without her family and navigating University life alone has been daunting and Drushti often felt out of place and isolated.

The Community Transport Association (CTA) calls on all community transport (CT) operators to prioritise robust maintenance programmes to ensure the safety and compliance of their vehicles on the road.  

This call has become paramount following the decision of the Traffic Commissioner to revoke the permits of a CT operating below the required safety standards. Based on the evidence provided by the Traffic Commissioner, CTA has now made the decision to revoke the remaining permits issued to the Operator.

Welsh Government have set out their vision for the future of Wales’ public transport system in the recent consultation ‘One network, one timetable, one ticket’, which builds on the aspirations set out in Llwybr Newydd and Bws Cymru to deliver a truly integrated, inclusive and sustainable public transport network that works for everyone.

Following a sustained period of proactive engagement between CTA Cymru and Welsh Government, we have seen in the publication of Llwybr Newydd  and Bws Cymru that Community Transport (CT) is being recognised as a key element in delivering an integrated and sustainable public transport network for Wales, and opportunities to support the sector to grow and innovate are being set out.

Volunteers have always been at the heart of the community transport sector. In organisations all across the UK they’ve shown time and again what an enormous difference they make, giving up their time to support their communities. During the past year, we’ve seen volunteers work tirelessly to make a difference in incredibly difficult circumstances, some out on the road, delivering food, medicine and essential journeys, and others from home, self-isolating but still calling passengers to keep their spirits up.