Voluntary and Community Transport
Community transport is a key component in delivering the government’s objective of improving social inclusion through transport. It can offer effective intervention where there are problems of access, accessibility, social deprivation, scale and community coherence.
We work on the full range of services that come within the CT remit, including:
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Social / Neighbourhood / Community / Hospital Car schemes
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Dial-a-rides / Dial-a-bus
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Brokerage
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Van Pools
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Travel Training
Whilst its physical operations can be similar to those of mainstream passenger transport providers, the sector’s structure, its resource base, the motivation of its people and the legal environment within which it operates are unique. For agencies to interact effectively with the CT sector, a good understanding of these issues is required.
TAS staff have been involved with CT since the late 1970s and have worked directly for urban and rural CTs in operation, management, support, development and advice roles, as well as on a consultancy basis.
Particular work at the moment includes:
- Developing community transport strategies at local and national level
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- Sustainability and business planning
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- Our detailed analysis of nearly 200 CT groups’ annual reports over the last three years has revealed a worrying underlying trend. With the loss of Countryside Agency funds from 2006, this suggests that the rate of CT project failure will increase significantly.
- We have been working with individual CTs and supporting agencies, to identify survival strategies in the face of grant withdrawal – particularly through an increase in trading.
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- We are providing practical advice on trading structures, including the new Community Interest Company form.
- Using our lengthy experience of commercial bus operation, together with experience of advising local authorities on transport procurement, we have been helping CT operators bid for all forms of statutory transport contracts.
- Valuing CT
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- It is becoming more and more important for CT groups to link the outcomes from their services directly to the delivery of strategic objectives. We have developed a suite of tools to help CTs undertake this process, and produce mapped output that relates to demographic information, accessibility and facilities.
- Training
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- TAS was responsible for developing MiDAS and PATS. We continue to have an interest in frontline training on all modes and have a working relationship with Driver Training Services.
- Advising the sector on all aspects of legislation and technical issues
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Operating contracts under Section 19 Permits
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Obligations of charitable trustees
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Maximising contributions from VAT refunds and BSOG
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Risk assessment techniques for particular passenger groups
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Local authority duties
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In short, if it has anything to do with community transport, get in touch!