Response to the draft TACTRAN Regional Transport Strategy

Since the publication of the draft TACTRAN Regional Transport Strategy document, Perth & Kinross Community Transport Group have circulated information and facilitated a meeting of community transport operators from across the region to consider and discuss the aspirations and likely impact of the proposed strategy on the community transport sector.

This submission represents a collective response from:

Aberfeldy Hospital Cars

Alyth, Meigle and District Nursing and Samaritans Association

Angus Transport Forum

Blairgowrie Freedom Coach Association

British Red Cross Society, Dundee

Comrie Hospital Car Service

Dial A Journey, Stirling

Dundee Accessible Transport Action Group

Kinross Volunteer Group and Rural Outreach

Perth and Kinross Association of Voluntary Services

Perth and Kinross Community Transport Group

Pitlochy Senior Citizens and Good Neighbours Association

WRVS, Rural Stirling Community Transport

WRVS, Perthshire Rural and Urban Community Transport

Community Transport operators welcomed the opportunity to respond to the consultation as follows:

Ø      Participants shall encourage individual community transport operators to respond independently and collectively to the draft strategy;

Ø      Participants were pleased to see the concept of a region-wide community transport forum was regarded by the Partnership as a high, near-term priority, but disappointed that the Draft Strategy referred only to an investigation of the benefits of such a forum. It was felt that such a forum is essential to provide an interface for Community Transport with TACTRAN and other transport provision.

Ø      Every meeting has raised the lack of Community Transport representation on the TACTRAN Board. It was suggested there would be significant advantages for both the sector and TACTRAN in engagement at this level.

Ø      The meeting suggested that the work currently undertaken by Perth & Kinross Community Transport Group was indicative of the work required throughout the region and called for this to be recognised by the TACTRAN strategy as a first step in the establishment of a region-wide CT body.

Ø      For any transport strategy to be successful there must be a clear understanding of the demand. It is not felt that this has been fully explored. The area of greatest uncertainty was the transport needs of people unable to use conventional bus and rail provision.  The continuing growth of demand for taxi services and for community transport evidence the need, but are not quantified. 

Ø      The draft strategy provides some recognition of Community Transport.  However, it is believed that the level of activity remains under-represented.  We fully acknowledge the difficulties of obtaining a definitive figure for the area and have commenced a regional information gathering exercise to improve the data available. 

Ø      A clear definition of the term “Demand Responsive Transport” would be welcomed.

Ø      Participants were pleased to note that the expansion of Demand Responsive Transport across the region and the development of a regional framework for DRT provision is a High Priority and suggest that Community Transport can contribute to this expansion.

Ø      TACTRAN must recognise the diversity of community transport and the diverse needs of people who are unable to use conventional public transport, including the requirements on service organisation and delivery imposed by age, mobility and health impairments.

Ø      The availability and sustainability of funding for community transport needs to be addressed by TACTRAN, and considered alongside passenger fares, as most CT passengers are eligible for concessionary fares but unable to access the relevant services.  Equally, there is significant variation across the region in respect of Taxi-card schemes and the availability of accessible taxis.   

Ø      TACTRAN should recognise the Health & Well-Being benefits, of people having access to transport to enable them to attend social groups, clubs etc that keep them active and healthy.

Signed:

Liz Lines	Bill Michie
Eileen Colley	Bob Gillespie & Colin Carr
Brian Masson	Sue Sadler
Jim Gibb	Donald Isles
Alex McGill	Sandra Robertson
Neill Aitken	Rosemary Rankin
Duncan Hearsum
Jan Goodall & Edith Hamilton