Connecting Communities Community Transport Initiative

1. What we want to do

The Connecting Communities Community Transport Initiative is a joint project between The Garve & District Development Company (TG&DDC) and Contin, Jamestown and Tarvie Projects (CJT Projects). The service operates across geographically dispersed rural communities within the Garve & District and Contin Community Council areas, addressing significant gaps in public transport provision.

Funding is being sought over three years to match fund The Highland Council (THC) Community Transport Grant and support continued delivery of this flexible, community-led service, including:

• Project staff costs.
• Vehicle running, maintenance and insurance.
• Administration, bookings and coordination.
• Volunteer driver expenses and training.

The service operates five days per week, supported by two part-time paid drivers and two volunteer drivers. Now in its third year, growing membership and increasing use demonstrate clear demand.

The project will continue to develop income opportunities through contracted and community transport services, helping create a financially sustainable, not-for-profit service for local residents.

2. Why the project is important

Residents in our rural communities can face significant barriers to accessing essential services, employment, education, healthcare, shopping and social and community activities. Limited conventional public transport can increase isolation, dependence on private cars and travel costs, particularly for young and older people, people with disabilities and those without access to a vehicle.

The project provides a flexible and accessible alternative, helping people remain connected and participate more fully in everyday life. The wheelchair-accessible vehicle provided by THC ensures accessible transport for residents and visitors who might otherwise experience significant difficulties travelling.

The project supports the priorities of the Garve and District and Contin Local Place Plans by contributing to connected, resilient and inclusive rural communities. It strengthens local services, supports community participation and improves access to opportunities and essential services. It also supports environmental objectives by encouraging shared transport, the transition to electric, low-carbon vehicles and reduced reliance on individual car journeys.

The project demonstrates effective partnership working between neighbouring communities, enabling local organisations to address shared challenges and make better use of community assets and resources.

3. What positive impact will the project have

The principal outcome will be improved access to services and activities for residents across the participating communities and visitors to the area.

The project will:

• Improve access to healthcare, shopping, appointments, employment, education and other essential services.
• Enable older and vulnerable residents to remain independent and connected.
• Reduce social isolation and increase participation in community activities.
• Provide accessible transport for people with mobility difficulties.
• Reduce individual car journeys and associated travel costs.
• Encourage shared and lower-carbon transport.
• Strengthen cooperation between neighbouring communities.
• Support local community facilities, businesses and activities by improving accessibility.
• Support young people and families to access education, sports and recreational facilities.
• Build towards a financially sustainable community transport service through increased income generation.

The combination of paid and volunteer drivers, together with the electric seven-seater vehicle and THC wheelchair-accessible vehicle, provides resilience within the local transport network.

4. Milestones achieved and next steps

The service is now in its third year and has established a proven model of community transport delivery, with continued support from members, the wider community, THC and other funders.

Key milestones include:

• Sustained demand demonstrated through growing membership and increasing user numbers.
• Established partnership between TG&DDC and CJT Projects.
• Expansion from three to five operating days per week.
• Necessary consents, training and operational arrangements established.
• Funding secured from THC Community Transport Grant, Community Regeneration Fund, Pebble Trust, CLW Third Sector Fund, Network Support Grant, North Highland Initiative, Smarter Places Open Fund, SSE Hydro and Social Development Fund. This has supported service development, EV charging infrastructure and purchase of the electric minibus.

As a member of the Community Transport Association and an active participant in THC’s Community Transport Network Events, we are well placed to demonstrate our experience as a benchmark rural community transport service. These networks enable us to share our learning and experience while learning from good practice elsewhere.

An application to THC for a Community Transport Grant for 2027–2030 will be submitted by September 2026, alongside further funding applications where appropriate.

The immediate priority is to secure funding to maintain and develop the existing service from 2027–2030. We will continue to explore income generation opportunities, including potential school transport provision with THC and Renal Transport Services.

We will also explore solar PV on community land in Garve to support EV charging and further reduce the environmental impact and running costs of the electric minibus and public EV charger. Separate funding will be sought for this and it is not included in this application.

Community partners will continue working with neighbouring communities to share knowledge, identify unmet needs and explore opportunities to extend the service where practical and sustainable.

5. Anticipated Start and End Date

Start date: 01/04/2027 End date: 31/03/2030

The project is ready to start and will commence as soon as funding is confirmed. Delivery will be monitored throughout the funding period using passenger numbers, journeys undertaken, community engagement, income generation and environmental benefits to demonstrate progress and impact.