REISSUED RELEASE WITH UPDATED NOTES TO EDITORS : Minister announces funding for community transport groups

The successful organisations will receive a share of the funding from this year’s Community Transport Vehicle Fund.

The one-off fund has been set up to assist community transport operators and to replace older vehicles or expand their services.

The successful applicants include:

Buchan Dial-a-Community Bus (Aberdeenshire)
STARAN – Third Sector Hebrides ( Comhairlie nan Eilean Siar)
Annandale Transport Initiative (Dumfries and Galloway)
Handicabs (Edinburgh, Midlothian and East Lothian)
Orkney Disability Forum (Orkney)
Lismore Community Transport (Argyll and Bute)
Coalfield Community Transport (East Ayrshire)
Voluntary Action Barra and Vatersay (Comhairlie nan Eilean Siar)
South Edinburgh Amenities Action Group (Edinburgh)
Helmsdale & District Community Bus Association (Highland)
Connect Assynt (Highland)
Sanday Enterprises CIC (Orkney)
Avondale Community Transport (South Lanarkshire)
Tagsa Uibhist Community Services (Comhairlie nan Eilean Siar)
Lammermuir Community Transport (East Lothian)
Buckie Accessible Community Bus (Moray)
Scottish Borders Community Development Company (Scottish Borders)
The Rural Development Trust (South Lanarkshire)
MyBus (Fife)
Mull & Iona (Argyll and Bute)
Order of Malta Dial-a-Journey Ltd (Stirling, Clackmannanshire and Falkirk)
Getting Better Together (North Lanarkshire)
Wigtownshire Community Transport (Dumfries and Galloway)
Pilton Equalities Project (Edinburgh)
Lothian Community Transport Services (Edinburgh, West Lothian and Midlothian)
South West Community Transport (Glasgow)
Caithness Voluntary Group (Highland)
Community Central Hall (Glasgow)
CSV Renfrewshire (Renfrewshire)

Transport Minister Keith Brown said:

“I am delighted by the amount of interest in the Community Transport Vehicle Fund and I would like to congratulate the successful applicants.

“This one-off fund will provide much-needed financial assistance to operators who run these vital services, of particular value to remote communities and vulnerable and disadvantaged groups.

“The Scottish Government recognises the important role that community transport services play as part of the transport network in Scotland and that they play a major part in reducing isolation and increasing social inclusion.

“During the course of the Infrastructure and Capital Investment Committee’s inquiry into the sector last year, the need for funding to replace ageing vehicles was identified as a particular concern, and I am pleased that we have been able to help address it in this way.”

Applicants to the fund have received support and advice from both the Community Transport Association (CTA) and the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO).

John Macdonald, director of the Community Transport Association, said:

“This investment is a welcome boost for a wide range of community organisations across Scotland who need to replace well used vehicles which are close to the end of their useful working life. It enables them to continue with their vital work of providing mobility and access to services for thousands of people who have limited or no alternative means of getting around.”

John Downie, director of public affairs, Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations, said:

“It's really exciting that we have identified the organisations which will benefit from the Community Transport Vehicle Fund. This is going to provide a massive boost to community transport provision right across Scotland and help more people to keep active in their communities and live independently at home."

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