What is community transport?

The problem: social exclusion

Social exclusion is recognised today as a major problem by both local and central government across the UK. Individuals or groups find themselves unable to do the everyday things that the majority take for granted.

Exclusion can take many forms, and result from a variety of causes.

A major factor is lack of access to transport. Many people take transport for granted. But those with no transport may find it difficult or impossible to get to work, shopping, health facilities or social events.

They may include disabled or elderly people, or people on low incomes, with no car, and limited (or non-existent) public transport.

An answer - CT

The first community transport organisations (CTs) were set up to solve problems caused by social exclusion way back in the 1970s, years before the term was ever thought of.
CTs continue to combat social exclusion today.
They do this mainly by providing safe, accessible and affordable transport solutions to their local community, that enable people to access work, training and social activities they might not otherwise be able to.

CTs are...

• Independent of private or public organisations
• Non-profit making
• Local community organisations
• Community-owned and managed, by management committees elected by and from local people.

There are CTs in nearly every part of the U.K.

Locally-run and managed community transport operators have the skills, experience and desire to reach the parts of the community other transport providers cannot reach.

At their best, independent CTs are:

• Flexible & Responsive to local needs
• Able to develop more freely than statutory counterparts
• Able to raise funds from a variety of sources

What makes Community Transport special?

• Community transport has always focused on innovative solutions to community needs - as local community-based organisations, CTs help to develop and sustain communities, combat social exclusion and promote economic regeneration.
• Transport, though a major element of the work, is a means to an end, rather than an end in itself. Community transport is first and foremost about people and their needs, not transport.
• With CT, the passenger comes first; it's tailored to the needs of the traveller, not the service.
• CT is community owned & accountable - CTs are owned by the local community and managed by elected local people.