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Government funding awarded to provide minibuses to improve rural mobility

Posted: 10 April 2017 | Intelligent Transport | No comments yet

Community groups across the country have been awarded funding to buy new minibuses to help keep people on the move.

minibuses

Community groups across the country have been awarded funding to buy new minibuses to help keep people on the move.

minibuses

As part of the £2 million second round of the £25 million Community Minibus Fund, 40 disability, patient, children and school groups will get a new minibus (which will have up to 16 seats) to improve the lives of people in rural areas by providing crucial links to shops, social events and medical services.

“Community transport is vital for people in rural areas”

“Community transport is vital for people in rural areas, helping them reach shops, hospital appointments, loved ones, friends, jobs and education,” said Transport Minister, Andrew Jones. “We have so far provided 300 minibuses in the first round of the £25 million Community Minibus Fund and they are already improving lives of people up and down the country.

“These extra minibuses will give a further boost and make sure the public can access the places and services they want.”

The Community Transport Association

The competition was run with the Community Transport Association (CTA), which is the membership organisation for community bus operators across the UK on behalf of the Department for Transport.

“The Community Transport Association was thrilled to facilitate this second round,” added Bill Freeman, Chief Executtive of CTA. “These vehicles will make a massive difference to the people and communities they will serve, opening up access to educational and social activities, employment and vital public services.

“We are really pleased that this government has been prepared to invest in community transport in such a visible way and we’re already seeing the benefits of this from the first round of the Community Minibus Fund.”

Click here to find out more about the Community Transport Minibus Fund.