Connecting Communities Community Transport (Update 3)

We are making great progress with this joint working initiative.

The aim of the service is to provide pre-booked, affordable, door to door transport for all residents and members to access nearby services - shopping, health appointments, community events, education, places of worship, sports facilities, onwards travel, hill walking and outdoor activities amongst many. 

As part of my role, I have recently attended coffee mornings in both Garve and District and Contin and I have been encouraged by the broad support and enthusiasm for the  project. A meeting with Willie McLeod, Dingwall Cluster, Active Schools Coordinator, was held to discuss how the project can support young people to access after school classes and sports activities in the area. Willie suggests there is a real need for transport provision for young people across these communities.

A recent application to The Highland Council (THC) Community Transport Fund has been successful. This and other match funding will support operational costs (drivers salaries, training, admin etc) for community use over a 3 year period. In addition, the  ability for  the Connecting Communities Project to tender for the Garve and District School Transport Contract is being discussed. If successful, this will provide additional income over 5 years to support 2 x part time drivers, and other operational costs. It is intended that the vehicle and driver will be available for pre-booked community work between the morning and afternoon school runs (10am - 2.30pm). Additional hours may be available and training for volunteers is being considered so they may drive the vehicle, evenings and weekends.  The Highland Council has agreed that a diesel vehicle will be loaned to our communities to get the project up and running.

Various funding bids are currently being prepared to cover service provision, including the installation of  an EV charging infrastructure in Contin and Garve and District. Funds to purchase an electric 9 seater minibus are also included in current funding applications.

A business plan outlines how the project may develop over a 3 year timescale to generate additional revenue to support the project long term.  This includes providing shared low carbon transport for visitors, to access hillwalking, cycle routes and other outdoor activities.  In doing so, the project hopes to reduce the impact of increasing numbers of vehicles to the area.

If you have any comments, please feel free to get in touch with me by using the CONTACT FORM.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year!

As ever, we wish to thank our funders: -

The Highland Council, The Pebble Trust, Foundation Scotland, SSE Renewables, North Highland Initiative, Contin, Jamestown and Tarvie Projects

Working on Behalf of TG&DDC, Contin, Jamestown Tarvie and communities.
Ewan Bush (Connecting Communities Project Officer)