“At the Community Transport Association, we believe that everyone, in every community, should be able to access transport that meets their needs. Welsh Government – recognising that the current transport network leaves much to be desired – have set out their own ambitious vision which puts the passenger first, offering seamless end-to-end journeys which put people before profit, and are beginning to transform the policy and legislative framework to make this a reality.
We know that affordable, inclusive, sustainable and supportive transport changes the way people are able to live, tackles issues of isolation and loneliness, enables greater community engagement, contributes to tackling the climate emergency, and supports people to access work, education and health care. Amnesty International recently described transport as a ‘gateway right’ – a lynchpin that supports people to live in health and wellbeing. Welsh Community Transport operators are already delivering upwards of 750,000 journeys every year, providing that essential connection for people who are not able to access mainstream transport services. And while traditional bus services continue to see declining passenger numbers, CTA’s members are delivering more services than ever before – despite limited and stagnating funding – as demand skyrockets”…
Implementation of Llwybr Newydd, Welsh Government’s Transport Strategy which sets ‘A New Path’ for transport development in Wales, creates a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver a network that values and serves every community. At TRANSPORT Smart Class, Wales & West of England 2024, Gemma Lelliott, Director for Wales at the CTA, reflected on research completed with Welsh Community Transport providers in 2023 and 2024, and explored how the community-led approach to transport could help the Welsh Government in delivering their vision, building on the successful foundation created over decades by this vibrant network of local charities and social enterprises.
Following her presentation, Gemma co-hosted deeper dive roundtable sessions alongside Senior Development Officer Emma Bingham.
Summary of presentation highlights:
- No One Left Behind…
- The Community Transport Association (CTA) is a UK member-based charity representing Community Transport Operators in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. CTA is also the national administrator of MiDAS – the Minibus Driver Awareness Scheme, which has been the gold standard for enhancing the safety and care of passengers for nearly 30 years;
- CTA Mission – To lead a thriving community transport movement in the UK;
- CTA Vision – A world where everyone in their communities can access transport that meets their needs;
- What is Community Transport?
- Community transport is about providing flexible and accessible community-led solutions in response to unmet local transport needs. It represents the only means of transportation for many vulnerable and isolated people, including lots of older people, disabled people, children with special educational needs, and people with learning disabilities;
- Community ownership & leadership – Local charities, community groups and social enterprises; Always for a social purpose, never for a profit; Focus on accessibility, inclusion and sustainability; Diversity of modes, models and passengers;
- Examples…
- VEST – Dial-a-ride in Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan, supporting older and disabled people;
- Cymrod Clwb Teithio Dwyfor – ‘Caring for your Mobility, Rights and Opportunities in Dwyfor’ by delivering a support service using 3 vehicles and a mobility scooter;
- Dolen Teifi – Group hire and support targeted at families in low income areas in Camarthen and Ceredigion;
- TrydaNi – Car clubs supporting people across Wales to access shared electric/low carbon vehicles owned by the community;
- Why does all of this matter?
- “Access to affordable, accessible transport is a human rights issue. Communities have told us that transport is a linchpin – when you pull it out, everything else falls apart” – Jen Clark, Social and Cultural Rights Lead, Amnesty International, UK;
- We know that there are lots of people in Wales whose needs are not met by the mainstream transport network at the moment, and CTA are doing their best to challenge and reshape that, making the case for a more flexible and inclusive network with more focus on community-led development; “We believe that everyone should have a voice in shaping that network, so more of us can make positive choices about how and when to travel”;
- CT is at the intersection between health, social care and community – Informal and often unseen, directly contributing to a preventative agenda;
- Community Transport in Wales…
- Community cars, dial-a-ride, demand responsive travel (e.g. fflecsi), E-bikes, car share;
- 750,000 passenger journeys last year in Wales;
- The ‘average’ Welsh volunteer gives 30 hours per month to support their community through CT;
- 60% of journeys are health related;
- 70% of journeys are local, within 10 miles;
- 80% of schemes have been running longer than 20 years;
- Video – CT user feedback from vulnerable and isolated people;
- Small Interventions, Big Differences…
- Communities matter for health. Placing communities at the heart of public health can (according to Public Health England and Healthmatters):
- Reduce health inequalities;
- Engage those most at risk of poor health;
- Empower people to have a greater say in their lives and health;
- Create connected, resilient, more cohesive communities;
- “Community-centred ways of working can be more effective than more traditional services in improving the health and wellbeing of marginalised groups and vulnerable individuals. For this reason, they are an essential way of reducing health inequalities. Those who find themselves excluded from society, discriminated against, or lacking power and control because of living in extreme poverty, can be the least likely to access and benefit from services – despite often having the worst health. Adopting more community-centred practice can help provide more appropriate and effective ways of engaging people and improving their health and wellbeing”;
- Policy Context…
- ‘Community Transport is all about removing transport barriers and providing community solutions to meet unmet transport needs. We know that existing bus services, whether public or commercial, are unable to provide for the needs of everyone equally and equitably. We believe in local, user-led solutions to removing transport barriers. With the right infrastructure support, we can work with their partners in the public and private sectors to help urban, rural and island communities all over the UK to connect and thrive’ (CTA Manifesto, 2024);
- Policy context – Llwybr Newydd, NTDP, roadmap to franchising;
- Community at the heart of transport!
If you meet our regular delegate qualification criteria but were unable to join us at Cardiff Masonic Hall for the live in-person event on December 5th, CLICK HERE and complete the short “Download form” (located at the bottom of the post) to receive a unique link enabling free access to the presentation video recordings and slides (including the film footage and slides from Gemma’s initial presentation).
Those qualifying to receive the rich presentation content from this event include commissioning, procurement, trialling, partnering and policy leads, senior influencers, strategic decision makers, programme managers and planners from local authorities (e.g. city, borough, metropolitan, district and county councils); public transport operators; regional transport partnerships, sub-regional transport bodies, combined authorities, integrated transport authorities and passenger transport executives; highways authorities and road operators; government and supporting national transport agencies; non-governmental organisations; fleet operators, parking operators, prime contractors etc.
