Shaun Macaulay has hailed North Ayrshire community groups for helping highlight transport needs as it was revealed the council is motoring ahead with a new summer service.
As part of a new community transport pilot, a summer service offering shopping excursions and trips around the coast will be run this summer in conjunction with Coalfield Community Transport.
Council depute leader Macaulay said at cabinet on Tuesday: “This has been a long time coming. I was delighted to see this paper coming forward given the amount of times I have seen transport talked about at community engagement sessions.
“It comes up time and time again. We're trying something new.
“This is never going to replace the Stagecoach bus service in North Ayrshire but it will give communities a sense that, if they have the power and the mechanism, then we support them coming up with their own ideas in the local areas with solutions that suit their local needs.
"That's exactly what we are going to do. I am delighted to see this coming forward.”
Council eader Marie Burns believes the plans will help combat loneliness and said: “I am really pleased to see this.
"One of the issues raised by communities in terms of transport was loneliness and social isolation.
“The day trips would allow people to get out and about to other parts of North Ayrshire.”
Transport was confirmed as an issue in the community at mini enquiries.
In response to the council's 2023-24 budget setting, £100,000 was allocated and earmarked for a community transport pilot. Since then, there have been exploratory discussions with Coalfield Community Transport.
A community engagement exercise is being carried out across all areas to identify local transport needs alongside barriers and gaps which could help establish demand for a community transport service.
In the meantime, a day hopper service is being set up for excursions and shopping this summer, with scenic tours and day trips to Largs, Arran and Cumbrae.
The feedback from the day hopper would lead to a wider community transport pathfinder run alongside locality partnerships. Funding opportunities will be sought for the overall project.
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