Transport

Rural transport faces many challenges.

They range from high petrol and diesel costs as a percentage of household budgets to the lack of public transport in many areas and the threats to its survival in others.

Changes to public transport subsidies make community-run initiatives increasingly important to a growing number of rural residents.

The topic has rarely been bigger or more pressing.

 Latest updates:

Licence concern for community transport
7 August 2017
Rural community transport operators may face extra licence requirements, the government has suggested. (Rural Services Network)

Community transport to stay despite battle
11 August 2017
Suffolk’s community transport network – which links remote villages with towns – will be retained despite a court ruling forcing major changes to the service. (East Anglian Daily Times)

Government launches transport investment plan
5 July 2017
A transport investment strategy launched by the government outlines the role that transport infrastructure plays in stimulating the local as well as national economy. (Politics.co.uk)

‘Lifeline’ community transport service to close
19 July 2017
A community transport service for elderly people in Derbyshire is to close – just months after it was told it would be protected. (Derbyshire Times)

Shock as transport service is suspended
14 August 2017
Disabled and elderly people have spoken of their shock after they were left in the lurch when a transport service was suddenly suspended. (West Sussex County Times)

Ruling has implications for community transport 
9 August 2017
The Government has moved decisively to halt community transport providers from competing with the taxi industry. (Cambridgeshire Times)

Plan to slash bus services under fire
10 August 2017
PLANS to slash rural bus services in and around Marlborough because of budget cuts by Wiltshire County Council have been condemned by a former mayor. (Gazette & Herald)

Community transport service awarded grant
4 August 2017
A volunteer community transport service has said they are delighted at a grant enabling them to continue with their lifeline service. (Dartmouth Today)

Flexible transport scheme launched
26 July 2017
A flexible bus service for people living in rural communities has been launched in Pembrokeshire. (Tenby Today)

Rural isolation holds back young people
7 August 2017
A review of further education has identified that rural isolation and lack of public transport is holding back students and employers (Darlington & Stockton Times)

Paid-for transport service launched for patients
11 August 2017
A NEW transport service for patients and visitors needing to access the Alexandra and Worcester Royal hospitals will start early in September. (Redditch & Alcester Advertiser)

Community-run bus services launch after cuts
7 August 2017
Residents across Dorset are rallying together to find alternative transport arrangements following county-wide cuts to bus services. (Daily Echo)

Nailsea transport group needs more volunteers
30 July 2017
An invaluable transport service which enables elderly and disabled people to access health appointments is looking for more volunteers. (North Somerset Times)

Woman plans charity run to help transport group
10 August 2017
A local woman is planning to tackle the Severn Bridge run to raise money for an important community transport service in the eastern Vale. (Glamorgan GEM)

Community bus service looks for volunteers
20 July 2017
A community bus service that prevents elderly and vulnerable residents from becoming 'prisoners in their own homes' is looking for volunteer drivers. (Lancashire Telegraph)