Community transport and its importance to the south of Scotland has been highlighted to the Cabinet Secretary for Transport on a visit to Dumfries and Galloway this week.
Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway (TSDG) hosted Fiona Hyslop for a focussed discussion on the topic and its significant potential across the area.
Joining them were colleagues from Transport Scotland and partners SWestrans, South of Scotland Enterprise, Galloway Community Transport and Borders Community Action.
Highlights of the meeting included the need for coordinated and people-focussed models of transport, its investment potential, and the importance of transport to tackling inequity, isolation, for economic development and to the community.
TSDG is currently the Chair of the Community Transport Strategic Development Group for Dumfries and Galloway, the partnership space that allows for collaboration and development of its wider transport models.
Alan Webb, TSDG’s Chief Executive, said: “We have a great range of operators across Dumfries and Galloway working every day to respond to local needs, but our collective partnership has ambitions to do more, especially given the challenges facing our area. We look forward to continued discussion on that potential.”
The Cabinet Secretary’s visit was in advance of the Convention of the South of Scotland on Monday afternoon.
Mr Webb said: “Community transport, with the right investment and collaborative models, has so much impact and further potential in the building of thriving communities, developing local economies and simply helping people move around for social, work, learning and health purposes.”
Juliana Amaral, Chief Executive of Borders Community Action, added: ““The path to equitable, affordable and accessible transport solutions in rural areas requires collaboration and commitment.
“Community transport has the power to play a significant role, but only if given the resources to do so. The return on investment is very clear: healthier residents, stronger local economies and more vibrant, connected communities.”
As well as bringing investment into local provision, the Community Transport Strategic Development Group also works on key related priorities around access to health and services, skills and employability, connections between community and public transport and the development of local economies and enterprise.
The Cabinet Secretary for Transport said: “I welcomed meeting the Community Transport representatives from the region and hearing about their work, plans and ambition to do more within the area.
“These services are vital to communities and ensuring the long-term sustainability of local routes and services is a collaborative effort. By working with local authorities, the third sector and operators, this government is committed to ensuring that everyone has access to public transport, regardless of where they live.
“We will continue to take forward focussed action, as part of our long term vision for transport, underpinned by our National Transport Strategy, which supports communities whilst aiding the four main priorities of this Government – eradicating child poverty, growing the economy, tackling the climate emergency and ensuring high quality and efficient public services.
“We want more people to choose to travel by public transport for work, study and leisure. But we know that people are facing a number of pressures and don’t always see public transport as affordable or accessible. By investing more than £2.6 billion this financial year, we will support our public transport system and help make it available, affordable and accessible for everyone.”
Member of the group and joining the meeting was Helen Keron, Chief Executive of Glenkens Community and Arts Trust, of which Galloway Community Transport is a key project. She welcomed the opportunity to talk about the solutions that community transport can provide for the region, if resourced appropriately to do so.
Helen said: “We look forward to working with our council and SWestrans colleagues as well as TSDG to deliver the outcomes that our communities need from transport.”
Picture: Left to right: Simon Bradbury, Lead Officer of SWestrans; Alan Webb, Chief Executive Officer, Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway; Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Transport; Helen Keron, Executive Manager of Glenkens Community and Arts Trust and Galloway Community Transport; Juliana Amaral, Chief Executive Officer, Borders Community Action; and Grant Coltart, Team Leader of Transport Planning and Operations at Dumfries and Galloway Council.