| Community
Transport - What is it ?
Community Transport (CT)
is transport that is developed to meet the needs of communities where
those needs are not adequately met by public or commercial transport.
CT schemes are
often developed and managed by community and voluntary groups, and
may meet the needs of the whole community or specific groups within
a community. CT
is an ideal mechanism for tackling social exclusion in rural areas.
It is an aid to independent living for those with a mobility problem,
and provides a 'door to door' service for those who would have difficulty
in accessing services through a lack of public and commercial transport
provision , or do not have access to a car. Thus enabling those who
would otherwise feel marginalised to lead a full and active life.
Ceredigion has
some very successful CT schemes in operation including:-
- Voluntary Car Schemes
, (operated by WRVS, Red Cross, Age Concern, Ambulance/Hospital
.)
- Dial a Ride Scheme,
(operated by Soc Services.)
- Community Minibuses
,(operated by local Voluntary Groups, Soc Services).
These schemes are complimentary
to public and commercial transport services and are operated through
a 'membership scheme', on a not for profit basis.
Community Transport
- Why there is a need ?
Rural isolation is recognised
as a major problem. Transport is the key to alleviating many problems
faced by a rural community, both health and social, covering all ranges
of age and status. County
Councils have an almost impossible task in trying to provide transport
that meets the needs of all members of the community, and commercial
operators fill in some of the gaps in provision. However
it is clear that there are still many people who cannot access these
modes of transport, either through cost, mobility problems, distance
from bus stops, timing of the buses and the routes of the buses. Accessible
and affordable Community Transport services or schemes, which run
to the places that people need to go to, at the times people need
to be there, which can be 'door to door' and with an escort if needed,
have been successful models in many areas of Wales.
Community Car
Schemes - What are they ?
Community Car Schemes
in Ceredigion are operated or managed by the W.R.V.S., Red Cross,
Age Concern, and the Ambulance Service. The
schemes recruit volunteer drivers who use their own car to provide
door-to-door transport for people who find particular journeys difficult
or impossible to make. The
majority of journeys are health related, usually to hospital, opticians,
dentist or doctors surgeries. The
drivers are paid expenses to cover the mileage they incur. Users are
asked to meet some of the costs, but additional subsidy is needed
to meet the full costs.
Dial a Ride
- What is it ?
A Dial a Ride Scheme is
community based and is run by a voluntary management committee. The
vehicles are usually minibuses or 'people carriers' and the majority
of these are accessible to people using wheelchairs or having difficulties
using steps. On average they provide a service covering an 8-9 mile
radius from their base town. These
schemes are membership schemes and membership is open to all people
in the scheme area who through old age, disability or a mental or
physical condition find it difficult to use existing means of transport.
There is an annual membership fee. Members
book journeys in advance and fares are charged at a rate which varies
according to distance travelled. The service will take the member
from door to door. The
schemes use both paid staff and volunteers to provide the service
and all drivers are specially trained. Funding
for the schemes comes from a variety of sources. Some County Councils
contribute to 'core funding' and other sources of funding include
the Community Fund, the National Assembly, Charitable Trusts and local
fundraising. For
more information on current projects please contact Alan Davies on
01570 423232 or e-mail alan@cavo.org.uk
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