What is Community Transport Week?

Every year, Community Transport Week allows us to pause for a moment and celebrate the sector, and everyone involved in it! This year’s theme,“More than a Minibus,” captures something vital: community transport is about people as much as it is about vehicles. It isn’t just about getting from A to B, it’s all the in-between moments that make the journey special, and memorable for passengers. For that to happen, journeys must be safe, legal and comfortable. That’s where MiDAS comes in.

Imagine being unable to attend a hospital appointment, visit a loved one, or even go shopping, simply because there’s no transport available. For thousands of people, Community Transport is not just a service, it’s a lifeline.

It’s the difference between isolation and connection.  

“Change is going to happen anyway, so it’s better if you plan for it.”

These were the words of one operator when Emma Bingham, Development Manager for Wales, and I first started asking about succession planning. It’s one of those topics that we all know is important but may put off as it may not seem urgent. Yet if we don’t consider succession planning it can create challenges if someone leaves suddenly, leaving a gap in the organisation which may affect service delivery, reputation or relationships.

As we kick off our third CTWeek, it gives us all a chance to pause and reflect on all the incredible work happening within Community Transport across the UK. In a sector as diverse and fast-moving as ours, it is easy to get caught up in the day-to-day challenges and lose sight of the bigger picture.

CTWeek reminds us to take a step back and celebrate what we’ve achieved together.

At CTA, we are focused on looking ahead and reaffirming our purpose to create a sector that is strong, sustainable and prepared for the future.

Motability Foundation Reopens Community Transport Grants

There are 16 million disabled people in the UK, making up more than one-fifth of the population. However, disabled people often struggle to make journeys due to a lack of accessible transport options. The Community Transport (CT) sector provides inclusive and affordable travel options, supporting disabled people to make essential journeys.

The Community Transport Association (CTA), working closely with our Insurance Partners Business Choice Direct (BCD), is delighted to announce the launch of a new insurance offer designed specifically for Community Car Clubs.

This wouldn’t have been possible without the support and collaboration of our partners and sector colleagues: Collaborative Mobility UK (CoMoUK), The Scottish Rural & Islands Transport Community (SRITC) CIC, Edge Innovation Ltd, Derwent Valley Car Club and the Blackhall Mill Community Association.