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Dumfries and Galloway Accessible Transport Forum |
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Friday, 13 August 2004 |
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The Dumfries and Galloway Accessible Transport Forum is a website that encourages groups to establish community-driven transport initiatives, ranging from community minibus, car sharing, dial-a-ride, social car schemes, to 'walking buses' and cycle projects.
Overview
PROJECT SUMMARY
Forward Scotland funding enabled the creation of a regional website to address community transport issues in Dumfries and Galloway. The Dumfries and Galloway Accessible Transport Forum encourages groups to establish community-driven transport initiatives, ranging from community minibus, car sharing, dial-a-ride, social car schemes, to 'walking buses' and cycle projects. The Website services existing regional Community Transport projects but also provide support on everything from funding bids to driver training.
KEY PARTNERS
Dumfries and Galloway Accessible Transport Forum involves 32 statutory and voluntary organisations. Key partners include Dumfries and Galloway Council and the Scottish Executive.
FUNDERS
For the website project, Forward Scotland provided 50% of funding (£500), the remainder being met by the Accessible Transport Forum budget.
Plan
NEED
The Accessible Transport Forum needed funding to develop a website to promote and develop their services.
The Forum identified website development as an excellent way for communities across the region to consult and exchange ideas and information on transport issues. This was based on the extensive body of information which had been gathered from community health action partnerships, local rural partnerships, over 50 local and regional voluntary organisations, and information from ATF consultancy files.
PURPOSE
The purpose of the website is to facilitate the work of the Accessible Transport, by:
- Raising awareness of transportation issues relating to rural isolation and social inclusion; and
- Providing information and advice on existing community transport schemes in the Region.
AIMS & OBJECTIVES
The website aims to provide the following benefits to the community:
- Information: on where to access community transport initiatives and accessible transport;
- Support: to existing projects and their issues on sustainability;
- Development: to provide help and advice on starting new community transport projects;
- Advice: on legal issues and best practice;
- Feedback and consultation: taking the issues raised via the website forward, e.g. to statutory agencies.
Progress
GETTING ESTABLISHED
The Forum was established in 1996 and is a registered charity. In 2001 a Development Officer was employed, with the role of raising awareness of transportation issues, helping communities to set up transport schemes, advising on funding, and facilitating accredited training for drivers.
The development of a website was seen as an ideal medium for sharing information and news about community transport in the region.
An application was made to Forward Scotland for funding to develop the site.
The website was developed as part of the Dumfries and Galloway portal, and launched in 2002.
IMPLEMENTATION
The objective of establishing a web presence has now been achieved. The website is now operational: http://www.transportforum.org.uk/intro.asp. The challenge in taking the website forward is in finding resources to continually update the material.
FUTURE STEPS
The project is developing rapidly. A key priority for 2004 is a £50,000 six month survey of transport provision and needs in the region.
Review
THE PROCESS
Community engagement is an essential component of the project. The Forum provides the benefit of its experience of vehicles, fundraising and administration, but each initiative is only possible with the active participation of community representatives. As a result of working with partners to develop projects, many communities have built up project management and operational capacities.
THE OUTCOMES
The project has been successful in working with communities to build new projects. For example, Dalbeattie has recently been awarded £57,000 to develop a new project. Two months ago the community was worried that the project would be too challenging.
A key strength of the project is the reservoir of knowledge that has been built up on community transport, for example, on which vehicle will suit certain purposes, driver training, legislation and funding. This is being shared across Dumfries and Galloway, and with other similar projects across Scotland.
The website is one method of sharing experience and disseminating information about the project.
THE LESSONS
Key points of advice for community transport initiatives are:
- Make sure there are adequate resources to prepare funding applications, administer claims and other financial aspects of project implementation, and monitor the project;
- Tap into extensive knowledge that has been built up already on community transport, and ask for advice;
- Work in close partnership with the local authority, Scottish Executive and other stakeholders.
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Communities