Expand and fund community-owned sustainable transport options in every community in Scotland
Everyone, everywhere in Scotland, should have local transport that meets their needs. Sometimes, community-owned solutions are the only or best way to achieve this. Many communities want to implement these but lack the necessary investment (especially capital). The next Scottish Government could enable this in a variety of different ways: increased (potentially ring-fenced) funding for Local Authorities for community transport; boosting existing programmes like the People and Place Funds through Regional Transport Partnerships; and creating national pots of funding in areas where there are key gaps, like a community-bus start-up fund.
An obvious loophole to close is that the National Concessionary Travel Schemes (NCTS) exclude most Community Transport services. These services benefit more than 802,000 people annually, leaving many of the 2.3 million Scots eligible for free bus travel with a ‘bus pass in name only’. Over 180 community-owned, local and non-profit operators plug gaps in our bus network with demand-responsive transport This offers a lifeline for many urban, rural and island communities, as well as for many older people and disabled people. However, since these services are not part of the NCTS, both passengers and operators are financially disadvantaged. The Scottish Government should expand eligibility for NCTS reimbursement to appropriate services provided by Community Transport operators.
For more information:
- Act local: Community transport, climate action and Scotland’s Just Transition to net zero, Community Transport Association, 2023