Grants to continue support for Community transport initiatives agreed

Community transport initiatives across the Highlands will have their grant funding extended for another year following a decision taken at today’s meeting of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee. This will allow the groups to continue the important role their play in their local communities.

Chair of the Committee, Cllr Ken Gowans wanted to highlight the valuable work undertaken by providers. He said: “The role of Community Transport providers is vital, and we welcome the diversity of projects and activities spread across the Highlands which address local unique circumstances and opportunities.

“Crucially, these initiatives foster communities’ direct involvement in finding solutions which most closely address and meet their transport needs, with the added benefit of empowering individuals and the broader community.” 

Although all twenty-six projects have their individual characteristics, community transport has an important role in meeting essential transport needs of people who have limited mobility, which may be for various reasons such as isolation, disability, poverty or unavailability of other forms of transport.

£359,000 has been made available to continue support during 2023.

The report presented to the Committee highlighted that the Council has supported some community transport groups in expanding their activities to include home to school transport, where they have been able to provide more cost-effective services for small numbers of pupils than previous private sector contracts. Two projects have also been developed to replace lightly used public bus services in Nairnshire and the north Black Isle, funded by savings in the bus contracts. A third similar project is being developed in the Glenelg area.