This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Funding for community transport
28/12/2005
A village hopper minibus in Aberdeenshire, a local community car scheme in Perth and Kinross and an inter-island boat service on Orkney are among the latest projects to benefit from substantial funding from the Rural Community Transport Initiative (RCTI).
Around 30 projects, stretching from the Northern Isles to the Borders, are to share in over £2.8 million from the scheme which supports community transport initiatives, particularly in remote rural areas, where there are only limited services or none at all.
Transport Minister Tavish Scott said:
"This devolved government is committed to improving transport in rural and remote areas throughout Scotland.
"Projects such as community minibuses, dial-a-bus services and voluntary car schemes can make a real difference to the quality of life for people living in areas where public transport links are limited.
"These projects are improving access to local services and community life for a wide range of people including those less mobile, the elderly and youth groups."
Thirty one projects have been awarded £2,855,606 between 2006 and 2009 in the latest round of the RCTI. A total of £15,530,732 has been provided to a total of 161 rural community transport projects over fourteen rounds since the scheme was launched.
This round's successful applicants are spread throughout Scotland with six in the Highlands, five in Dumfries and Galloway, four each in Aberdeenshire and the Western Isles, three in Perth and Kinross, two each in Argyll and Bute, Orkney and South Ayrshire and one each in Lothian, Moray and the Borders. Twenty three of the awards are for continuation funding to projects supported by earlier rounds.
The RCTI was introduced in 1998 as part of the Rural Transport Fund. Its aim is to fund community transport measures which are of particular help in the more rural areas of Scotland where there are no scheduled public transport services or where they are very limited. To date, a wide range of projects has been assisted including community minibuses, dial-a- ride services, voluntary car schemes and community ferries.
The details of the initiatives receiving funding are as follows:
Banffshire Partnership Ltd
This existing project, based near Banff, sought continuation funding to expand its local community transport services. They will buy two additional accessible minibuses and employ five part-time staff.
Proposed Grant Awards:
2006-07: 74,536
2007-08: 75,717
2008-09: 113,750
Total: 264,003
Deeside Community Transport Group
This existing project, based in Aboyne, sought continuation funding in order to maintain their Village Hopper service and buy a replacement accessible minibus in 2006-07. The grant award will include general and vehicle revenue costs.
Proposed Grant Awards:
2006-07: 96,253
2007-08: 64,323
2008-09: 68,615
Total: 229,191
Mearns Area Project
This new project, based in Laurencekirk, received an RCTI grant in 1998-99 to buy a minibus. The current application sought to replace the earlier vehicle with a new accessible minibus and employ a F/T co-ordinator.
Proposed Grant Awards:
2006-07: 58,882
2007-08: 41,244
2008-09: 38,876
Total: 39,002
Silver Circle
This existing project, based in Strathdon, sought funding to maintain their voluntary car scheme which provides access to local health, social and leisure facilities.
Proposed Grant Awards:
2006-07: 12,760
2007-08: 13,966
2008-09: 14,716
Total: 41,442
Lochgoil Community Trust Ltd
This new project, based in Lochgoilhead, sought funding to buy an accessible minibus which will enable them to provide travel services to local residents allowing access to social, sports and leisure facilities and links to main road and rail links.
Proposed Grant Awards:
2006-07: 31,901
2007-08: 10,312
2008-09: 10,574
Total: 52,787
Sound of Mull Transport Group
This existing project, based in Tobermory, sought funding to maintain their chartered boat services between Tobermory and remote communities across the Sound of Mull and in remote west Loch Sunart.
Proposed Grant Awards:
2006-07: 43,634
2007-08: 45,977
2008-09: 48,278
Total: 137,889
Annandale Transport Initiative
This existing project, based in Lochmaben, sought continuation funding to enable them to extend their current transport services in Annandale. They will employ three staff and use four accessible minibuses and one people carrier.
Proposed Grant Awards:
2006-07: 49,120
2007-08: 46,000
2008-09 47,450
Total: 142,570
Cairn Valley Community Transport
This existing project, based in Dunscore village (between Dumfries and Moniaive), sought funding to continue its current community bus service and develop a community car scheme.
Proposed Grant Awards:
2006-07: 7,242
2007-08: 7,070
2008-09: 7,225
Total: 21,537
Dumfries & Galloway Accessible Transport Forum
This existing project sought continuation funding in order to develop their current support services for the community transport sector across Dumfries & Galloway.
Proposed Grant Awards:
2006-07: 41,888
2007-08: 42,636
2008-09: 44,566
Total: 129,090
Gretna Day Centre
This existing project sought continuation funding in order to maintain their current accessible minibus services in and around Gretna. The funding bid included capital costs to replace an existing minibus and revenue costs for two part-time drivers.
Proposed Grant Awards:
2006-07: 13,447
2007-08: 4,955
2008-09: 5,855
Total: 24,257
South Machars Community Transport
This new project, based in Whithorn, was awarded a Rural Challenge grant in 2002, which enabled them to buy two accessible minibuses. They sought RCTI funding from April 2006 to maintain their local transport services providing access to health, social, leisure, education and recreational facilities in the South Machars area.
Proposed Grant Awards:
2006-07: 18,283
2007-08: 18,539
2008-09: 18,971
Total: 55,793
Ardersier, Petty, Croy & Culloden Moor Transport Association
This new project sought funding in order to purchase an accessible minibus and provide local community transport services.
Proposed Grant Awards:
2006-07: 47,462
2007-08: 2,155
2008-09: 1,819
Total: 51,436
Inverness & Nairn Transport Forum
This existing project sought continuation funding for their development worker who assists local rural communities to identify, develop and deliver local community transport solutions.
Proposed Grant Awards:
2006-07: 20,374
2007-08: 20,511
2008-09: 26,572
Total: 67,457
Lochaber Community Care Forum
This new project, based in Fort William and currently funded by the Big Lottery until September 2006, sought funding to maintain their voluntary car scheme from October 2006. The project employs one F/T and four P/T staff.
Proposed Grant Awards:
2006-07: 24,830
2007-08: 57,340
2008-09: 58,545
Total: 140,715
Mallaig & District Community Transport Association
This new project received an RCTI grant in 1999 to buy a minibus. This application sought funds to replace it with a new accessible minibus and employ a P/T co-ordinator.
Proposed Grant Awards:
2006-07: 63,860
2007-08: 7,170
2008-09: 14,341
Total: 85,371
North West Community Bus Association
This existing project, based in Kinlochbervie, sought funds to maintain its community transport minibus services and continue the employment of its P/T co-ordinator.
Proposed Grant Awards:
2006-07: 16,168
2007-08: 18,072
2008-09: 18,112
Total: 52,352
South West Ross Community Car Scheme
This existing project, based in Alligin near Torridon, sought funding to maintain their social car scheme providing access to health and social facilities and links with the public transport network. They also employ a part-time co-ordinator.
Proposed Grant Awards:
2006-07: 15,348
2007-08: 16,039
2008-09: 16,624
Total: 48,011
Handicabs (Lothian)
This existing project sought continuation funding in order to maintain their community transport services in the Lothians.
Proposed Grant Awards:
2006-07: 77,756
2007-08: 80,080
2008-09: 82,417
Total: 240,253
BABS Dial-a-Bus
This existing project, based in Buckie, sought continuation funding to maintain their current community transport services and extend inland to Keith for the first time. They will replace one of their existing minibuses and employ one full-time and six part-time staff.
Proposed Grant Awards:
2006-07: 104,813
2007-08: 65,304
2008-09: 70,143
Total: 240,260
Dounby Centre Committee
This new project, based at Dounby on Orkney's West Mainland, wanted to replace its 11 year old minibus with a fully accessible minibus.
Proposed Grant Award:
2006-07: 20,438
Papay Development Trust
This existing project, on Papa Westray in Orkney, sought funding to maintain their boat service to the larger neighbouring island of Westray outside school hours during the winter months allowing island residents to benefit from the wider community activities available on Westray.
Proposed Grant Award:
2006-07: 3,120
Kinross-shire Volunteer Group & Rural Outreach Scheme
This existing project, based in Kinross, sought funding in order to continue their local community car scheme, using volunteer drivers and employing a part-time co-ordinator.
Proposed Grant Awards:
2006-07: 3,890
2007-08: 8,770
2008-09: 6,250
Total: 18,910
Perth & Kinross Community Transport Group
This existing project, also based in Kinross, sought funding to maintain the services of their Community Transport Development Worker who works with community transport groups throughout Perth & Kinross.
Proposed Grant Award:
2006-07: 23,000
Strathearn Community Care Association (Strathcare)
This existing project, based in Crieff, sought funding to maintain their community minibus which provides a transport service for disabled, elderly and isolated people.
Proposed Grant Awards:
2006-07: 3,392
2007-08: 5,238
2008-09: 5,523
Total: 14,153
Scottish Borders Rural Partnership
This existing project sought funding for one year only to maintain the services of their Development Worker to develop a transport forum for the Borders.
Proposed Grant Award:
2006-07: 13,220
Carrick Community Transport Group
This new project, based in Maybole, received funding to replace an existing non-accessible minibus with a new fully accessible minibus. The award will also cover the costs of operating the vehicle and employing a part-time co-ordinator for one year.
Proposed Grant Award:
2006-07: 49,950
Stepping Stones for Families
This existing project sought funding to maintain their community transport services in and around Girvan.
Proposed Grant Award:
2006-07: 47,025
Disability Lewis
This existing project, based in Stornoway, sought funding to maintain their minibus transport services.
Proposed Grant Award:
2006-07: 21,395
Shawbost Community Council
This existing small project on the west coast of Lewis sought funding to maintain the provision of local community transport services, which they obtain by hiring from a local bus operator.
Proposed Grant Awards:
2006-07: 18,363
2007-08: 16,838
2008-09: 16,813
Total: 52,014
Tagsa Uibhist
This existing project, based on Benbecula, sought funding to maintain their minibus transport services enabling people to access health, shopping, social and leisure facilities across Benbecula and the Uists. The application sought funds to buy a new minibus in 2006-07 and support staffing costs.
Proposed Grant Awards:
2006-07: 118,806
2007-08: 74,360
2008-09: 93,105
Total: 286,271
Voluntary Action Barra & Vatersay
This existing project, based in Castlebay, sought funding to maintain their minibus transport services benefiting the residents of Barra and Vatersay.
Proposed Grant Awards:
2006-07: 46,500
2007-08: 47,233
2008-09: 48,961
Total: 142,694
Total allocated by year:
2006-07: 1,187,656
2007-08: 789,849
2008-09: 878,101
Grand Total: 2,855,606