Elderly and vulnerable passengers that benefit from on-demand bus
and taxi services met with Local Transport Minister, , in West London today (17
October 2024) to mark Community Transport Week.
The Local Transport Minister celebrated the work of operators as
he visited Westway community transport in Westbourne Park.
The minister heard first-hand how services step in to fill the
gap where users might not be able to use conventional public
transport or drive. This provides a lifeline, allowing users to
attend vital hospital appointments, undertake important tasks
like food shopping and ensure users can see friends and family.
To support services, the government currently makes up to £3.8
million available annually to community transport operators. As
plans to hand back control of bus services to local authorities
gather pace, the government is exploring how this initiative can
incorporate the community transport sector.
Under these plans to deliver the biggest overhaul to bus services
in a generation, this government wants to grow passenger numbers
and offer more frequent, widespread services, with scope for
local authorities and community transport providers to work
together to achieve this.
Local Transport Minister, , said:
Community transport services are a lifeline for so many people,
which is why I was delighted to visit Westway today to celebrate
the incredible work of operators up and down the country.
We're committed to improving our local networks, to make them
more inclusive and enable vulnerable people to travel safely,
confidently and with dignity.
Community transport plays a vital role in providing these
services, so we are working to ensure they are part of the
solution.
At the visit, the Minister also spoke to Westway Deputy
CEO, Ryan Price,
about ways that the government can further support the great work
of operators.
For 30 years, Westway has played a vital role in connecting
communities and improving lives across Kensington and Chelsea,
Westminster and Hammersmith and Fulham, serving passengers who
struggle to use the tube, buses and other public transport.
Westway Community Transport CEO, Kathleen Lyons, said:
We were delighted to welcome to Westway Community
Transport.
It's never been more important to showcase the work of community
transport. We're an essential part of the local transport mix –
particularly for those who find public transport difficult to use
– and a key component in any plan to tackle loneliness and social
isolation.
Community Transport Association (CTA) CEO, Victoria Armstrong, said:
CTA are
delighted that the Local Transport Minister recognises the
importance of CTWeek24 by visiting one
of our members.
Community transport is vital to so many people across the UK and
this week we celebrate the range of community solutions to
transport barriers across the country.
I am pleased that the minister was able to celebrate with us and
to support what community transport is all about.
The government is ensuring community transport operators,
accessibility groups and professionals in the bus industry are in
the driving seat as these plans progress.
Last week marked another step towards handing control back to
local authorities, as a consultation on updating
guidance to reduce barriers to franchising closed, with
over 70 responses from industry.
