Two Ayrshire groups who provide transport to the socially or economically disadvantaged have been handed a welcome windfall.
South Ayrshire Community Transport (SACT) is to receive more than £200,000 from SPT (Strathclyde Partnership for Transport) to help the projects they run locally.
And Coalfield Community Transport will receive more than £80,00 for their efforts in connecting people in East Ayrshire.
South Ayrshire Community Transport is made up by a consortium of local community transport operators and third sector organisations, formed in 2016.
They provide accessible, affordable transport for socially or economically disadvantaged groups, voluntary groups and third sector organisations in South Ayrshire.
SACT also operates a MyBus Rural service on behalf of SPT.
In total SACT will receive £203,942 from SPT.
SPT chair, Dr Martin Bartos said: “The last couple of years and the impact of the Covid-19 global pandemic on our everyday lives saw those in Community Transport having to alter many of their usual activities to take on new roles to continue to support their local communities.
“Yet again, those working in CT proved they provide lifelines services for so many of the individuals and groups they support and help.
“Ensuring funding for their future operation and development is key to their success and will ensure they continue to deliver vital services in our urban and rural communities.”
Cumnock-based Coalfield Community Transport is a community transport service too.
Their mission is to provide “accessible, affordable and appropriate” transport solutions for eligible groups and socially or economically disadvantaged individuals.
Their award totals £82,291, which includes £50,000 to support their core transport activities and running costs, with an additional £32,291 to allow continuation of its Cumnock/Sorn Connector Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) service.
The finance boosts are part of funding totalling £1.2m from the SPT.
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