I think what we are seeing is a two pronged attack on local bus provision. We are based in Gloucestershire and while the need for good transport links are desperately needed we have public services being withdrawn or reduced and funding for Community Transport ever harder to find. People see Charities as being able to be run on fresh air but with lack of investment over the past decade has seen many CT’s diversify we are all struggling to make plans for the future. I think the will is there and we are eager to ensure provision will be here for those who need it but shortage of volunteers, staff, funds and the ability to plan long term will hamper us and many like us.

Hi Louise you make some really points! Do you see yourselves as becoming self sustainable at all? Could you operate remotely?

Short to medium term, I think the answer is no. Dial a Ride has changed considerably over the pandemic. Passengers now have a much greater need for care and assistance, with many requiring four times as long to even get onto a vehicle. In an area with high levels of deprivation, the cost, if not offset by grants, would render the service out of reach for many.

This is very sad to hear indeed. People will miss out too and their mental health will no doubt take a hit too. Do you offer a booking fee or is that even out of reach for the area?

Reading the transport news recently, it seems that story after story is funding being removed for bus services. For example Gloucestershire has had funding removed and even arson on some of their buses in Filton to compound things further! <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/gloucester-news/gloucestershire-bus-services-will-better-6920393">https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/gloucester-news/gloucestershire-bus-services-will-better-6920393</a> <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.gazetteseries.co.uk/news/20056787.four-towns-face-difficulties-following-arson-rolls-royce/">https://www.gazetteseries.co.uk/news/20056787.four-towns-face-difficulties-following-arson-rolls-royce/</a>Similar news in Cornwall: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-61099444">https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-61099444</a> Oxfordshire: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-61031517">https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-61031517</a> Shropshire: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-shropshire-60827354">https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-shropshire-60827354</a>Despite seeming glum, is this the time that community transport will step forward and fill the gaps? Does the sector have the resources? Do volunteers want to do more journeys? Maybe it’s the wrong analogy, but the way I see it is a bit like the volunteer police in the community that are filling the gaps in policing.It makes me think if buses are being cut and no longer seen as the viable solution, will it follow suit that community transport will need to shift focus away from funding and look to become more sustainable?How far would you go to keep your services running?

News

Reading the transport news recently, it seems that story after story is funding being removed for bus services. For example Gloucestershire has had funding removed and even arson on some of their buses in Filton to compound things further! <

Are We Now Alone? How Far Would You Go?

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