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Community Transport Forum

With news of cuts and councils going bust, does this mean that community transport is going to have a bumpy year?I must admit that without our volunteer drivers, we would have closed months/years ago - and fortunately, they came back post covid too - but I often think that community transport transcends finance, and people do it because it’s a worthwhile activity irrespective of cost.The reality is though, you can’t run a car without fuel and someone’s pocket if things got that bad.What ways have you found cuts have hurt your services and have you come up with any innovative solutions along the way? <a data-hashtag class="hashtag" data-id="finance" href="/search?hashtag=finance">#finance</a> <a data-hashtag class="hashtag" data-id="cuts" href="/search?hashtag=cuts">#cuts</a> <a data-hashtag class="hashtag" data-id="government" href="/search?hashtag=government">#government</a> <a data-hashtag="" class="hashtag" data-id="communitytransport" href="/search?hashtag=communitytransport"> <a data-hashtag class="hashtag" data-id="communitytransport" href="/search?hashtag=communitytransport">#communitytransport</a> </a>

Ideas

With news of cuts and councils going bust, does this mean that community transport is going to have a bumpy year?I must admit that without our volunteer drivers, we would have closed months/years ago - and fortunately, they came back post

Dealing with Cuts and Bankrupt Councils

If people thought community transport was straightforward, they’re very wrong. Here are some key safety issues and solutions we handle each day:<ol><li>Vehicle Maintenance and Safety Standards: Ensuring that all community transport vehicles are regularly serviced and meet safety standards is crucial. This includes regular checks for brakes, tires, lights, and other essential components.</li><li>Driver Training and Screening: Drivers should be properly trained and screened and have all related DBS checks in place, including insurance and license checks. This includes not only their driving skills but also their ability to assist passengers with special needs, such as the elderly or disabled. Regular refresher courses can also be beneficial.</li><li>Passenger Safety and Accessibility: Vehicles should be equipped to safely transport all passengers, including those with disabilities. This includes having appropriate accessibility features like ramps or lifts, and safety measures like seatbelts suitable for wheelchairs.</li><li>COVID-19 and Health Safety: In the context of ongoing health concerns such as COVID-19, it's important to implement and maintain health safety protocols, including regular sanitization of vehicles, provision of hand sanitisers, and possibly mask mandates depending on current health guidelines. We still follow this.</li><li>Route and Trip Planning: Safe route planning is essential, especially in areas with challenging driving conditions. This includes avoiding hazardous routes and ensuring that drivers are aware of and trained for any specific challenges they might encounter on their routes. Local knowledge of this is vital!</li><li>Emergency Preparedness: Drivers and community transport providers should have plans in place for emergencies. This includes training in first aid, having a system for rapid response in case of an accident, and maintaining communication tools in vehicles.</li><li>Feedback and Reporting Systems: Having a system where passengers and drivers can report safety concerns or incidents is important for ongoing safety improvements. This feedback can be invaluable in identifying and addressing potential safety issues.</li><li>Regulatory Compliance: Ensuring compliance with all relevant transport and safety regulations is essential. This can involve regular audits and checks by regulatory bodies.</li><li>Insurance and Liability: Adequate insurance coverage is crucial for protecting both the passengers and the transport providers against liabilities resulting from accidents or incidents.</li><li>Community Involvement and Awareness: Raising awareness about safety in community transport among passengers and the wider community can contribute to a safer environment. This might include educational campaigns or community meetings to discuss safety concerns and solutions.</li></ol>Any more you can think of?

Safety & Regulation

If people thought community transport was straightforward, they’re very wrong. Here are some key safety issues and solutions we handle each day:<ol><li>Vehicle Maintenance and Safety Standards: Ensuring that all communit

Community Transport Safety Concerns

Just some digital marketing ideas for you regarding CT with a little help from ChatGPT I must confess! But you could use this for attracting volunteers / promoting your services online:<ul><li>Website Development: User-Friendly Design: Ensure your website is easy to navigate, mobile-friendly, and has clear call-to-actions (CTAs).</li><li>SEO Optimisation: Optimize your website for search engines by incorporating relevant keywords related to community transport services.</li><li>Content: Include detailed information about your services, pricing, areas covered, and any unique selling points (USPs).</li><li>Content Marketing:Blog: Regularly publish blog posts on topics related to community transport, like the benefits of community transport services, success stories, or tips for users.Video Content: Create engaging video content that showcases your services, customer testimonials, or behind-the-scenes looks.</li><li>Social Media Marketing:Platform Selection: Choose platforms where your target audience is most active, like Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.Consistent Posting: Share updates, news, and engaging content regularly.</li><li>Community Engagement: comments and messages promptly.</li><li>Email Marketing:</li><li>Newsletters: Send out monthly newsletters with updates, special offers, or interesting articles.</li><li>Segmentation: Tailor your emails based on the audience segment (e.g., regular customers, potential customers, partners).</li><li>Online Advertising:</li><li>Local SEO and Google My Business:Google My Business: Register and maintain an up-to-date Google My Business profile.Local Directories: List your service on local business directories and review sites.</li><li>Partnerships and Outreach:Collaborations: Partner with local businesses or organizations to broaden your reach.Guest Posts: Contribute articles to popular local blogs or websites.</li><li>Analytics and Feedback:Monitor Performance: Use tools like Google Analytics to track website traffic and campaign performance.Customer Feedback: Regularly gather feedback from users to improve and tailor your services.</li><li>Influencer and Community Relations:Local Influencers: Collaborate with local influencers to reach a broader audience.Community Events: Participate in or sponsor local events to increase visibility.</li><li>Promotional Offers and Referral Programs:</li><li>Discounts and Offers: Introduce special offers for first-time users or discounts for referrals.</li><li>Loyalty Program: Implement a loyalty program for regular customers.</li></ul>

Just some digital marketing ideas for you regarding CT with a little help from ChatGPT I must confess! But you could use this for attracting volunteers / promoting your services online:<ul><li>Website Development: User-F

Community Transport Digital Marketing Ideas

Here are just some ideas we’ve had in the office on how to improve community transport this year and beyond!<ul><li>Collaboration and Integration: Building better collaboration and coordination between community transport providers and other transportation services, such as public transport operators and taxi companies. By integrating these services, we can create a more seamless and interconnected transport network, offering passengers a wider choice of options and reducing duplication of routes.</li><li>Better Response to Demand: Find out more about what our passengers want and need from us along with the nature of how we respond to their demands. Very often we’re waiting for journeys and on hold without realising there are members isolated who need our help. We think there needs to be better communication in relation to the demand for services and how we reach out to potential and existing passengers.</li><li>Embracing Technology: We took the leap a couple of years ago to switch from CATTS to Road XS. It’s the best decision we made as it’s completely modernised our services. The software has made us much slicker and able to manage our drivers better. They also love the driver portal as it saves us and them time plus travel to pay admin fees to us. Take the leap w ith technology if you have the chance. We’re looking at setting up a DRT service now with Road XS which we otherwise would just never have been able to do.</li><li>Accessibility and Inclusivity: Ensure that community transport is accessible and inclusive for all passengers, regardless of their mobility needs. This includes improving the physical accessibility of vehicles, providing accessible booking options, and training staff to assist passengers with disabilities or special requirements. Additionally, establish partnerships with community organizations to offer transport services for vulnerable groups or those living in remote areas.</li><li>Subsidies and Funding: Increase investment in community transport to make services more sustainable and affordable. Governments and local authorities could allocate funding specifically for community transport projects, including the purchase of new vehicles, software, maintenance, and staff training. Explore partnerships with local businesses or sponsorships to further support funding efforts. What ideas do you have too for improving CT?</li></ul>

Here are just some ideas we’ve had in the office on how to improve community transport this year and beyond!<ul><li>Collaboration and Integration: Building better collaboration and coordination between community transport

Ideas for Improving Community Transport 2024+

I am sure some of you have been using electric vehicles for a while now, just wondering how it’s all going… Do you find it more cost-effective?Does it stress you out at all?Do people on the pavements hear you coming?Are the vehicles enjoyable to drive?Or do you think the hype is over and for CT particularly, hybrid vehicles are the way to go? <a data-hashtag class="hashtag" data-id="ev" href="/search?hashtag=ev">#ev</a> <a data-hashtag class="hashtag" data-id="electricvehicles" href="/search?hashtag=electricvehicles">#electricvehicles</a> <a data-hashtag class="hashtag" data-id="communitytransport" href="/search?hashtag=communitytransport">#communitytransport</a> <a data-hashtag class="hashtag" data-id="evtravel" href="/search?hashtag=evtravel">#evtravel</a> <a data-hashtag class="hashtag" data-id="future" href="/search?hashtag=future">#future</a>

Technology

I am sure some of you have been using electric vehicles for a while now, just wondering how it’s all going… Do you find it more cost-effective?Does it stress you out at all?Do people on the pavements hear you coming?

How are Electric Vehicles Working Out for You?

I don’t know if any of you have played with ChatGPT, but if you have, has it been useful for you and have you managed to use it within your community transport services?If you’re not sure what ChatGPT is, it’s like a clever bot thing which creates answers/information based on what you ask it to do.You can use it for free here is you want to check it out: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://chat.openai.com/auth/login">https://chat.openai.com/auth/login</a>What are your thoughts?

I don’t know if any of you have played with ChatGPT, but if you have, has it been useful for you and have you managed to use it within your community transport services?If you’re not sure what ChatGPT is, it’s like a clever bot thing whic

Chat GPT?

Hello everyone! Sorry, I haven’t done anything with this forum for over a year! I cannot believe it’s 2024. So I thought what the heck! Let’s reach out and see how you’re all doing!So … what are you all looking forward to this year?Here’s to a happy 2024 for you all. <a data-hashtag class="hashtag" data-id="2024" href="/search?hashtag=2024">#2024</a> <a data-hashtag class="hashtag" data-id="communitytransport" href="/search?hashtag=communitytransport">#communitytransport</a> <a data-hashtag class="hashtag" data-id="aspirations" href="/search?hashtag=aspirations">#aspirations</a>

Hello everyone! Sorry, I haven’t done anything with this forum for over a year! I cannot believe it’s 2024. So I thought what the heck! Let’s reach out and see how you’re all doing!So … what are you all looking forward t

Hello 2024!

I read this morning that it looks like transport cuts are on the way …..Is anyone worried about this? Are there ways the industry can start monetizing and becoming self-sufficient or will this bring community transport to a halt? <a data-hashtag class="hashtag" data-id="funding" href="/search?hashtag=funding">#funding</a> <a data-hashtag class="hashtag" data-id="costofliving" href="/search?hashtag=costofliving">#costofliving</a>

News

I read this morning that it looks like transport cuts are on the way …..Is anyone worried about this? Are there ways the industry can start monetizing and becoming self-sufficient or will this bring community transport to a halt?<

Transport Cuts Coming

Hey!Hope everyone is surviving. We just received this from our provider which made us chuckle (or cackle) in the office - even though it doesn’t feel like October or Halloween outside. If you need cheering up have a read of this: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.roadxs.com/creepy-transport-stories/">https://www.roadxs.com/creepy-transport-stories/</a>

Items of Interest

Hey!Hope everyone is surviving. We just received this from our provider which made us chuckle (or cackle) in the office - even though it doesn’t feel like October or Halloween outside. If you need cheering up have a read of this: <a targe

Halloween Fun

Just spotted this in the news (even though it’s Scotland), but we really need to look at this in England too!!!! I don’t think our volunteer drivers are reimbursed enough given they are doing what ambulances used to do a lot of the time.<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://tfn.scot/news/calls-for-review-of-volunteer-mileage-reimbursement-rate">https://tfn.scot/news/calls-for-review-of-volunteer-mileage-reimbursement-rate</a>Perhaps people are starting to take note? <a data-hashtag class="hashtag" data-id="drivers" href="https://ctf.beam.gg/search?hashtag=drivers">#drivers</a> <a data-hashtag class="hashtag" data-id="fees" href="https://ctf.beam.gg/search?hashtag=fees">#fees</a>

Finance & Funding

Just spotted this in the news (even though it’s Scotland), but we really need to look at this in England too!!!! I don’t think our volunteer drivers are reimbursed enough given they are doing what ambulances used to do a lot of the time.<p