Community transport proposal could see more take up service

Released: Monday, 03 December 2018

The number of residents able to take advantage of free community transport could increase under a change in funding proposed by Adur & Worthing Councils.

A paper is recommending the Councils entire cash pot is awarded to Community Transport Sussex to fund, deliver and co-ordinate a range of services. These would include schemes such as Dial-A-Ride and other community transport services operated by organisations locally.

In the past Councils have handed over Community Transport Grants to various schemes but officers wish to better coordinate, maximise services and enable different bodies to share resources.

Now a report recommends Community Transport Sussex, an experienced not-for-profit body which has a successful track record across the county. In five years they increased the number of Dial-A-Ride journeys in Horsham from 2,000 journeys per year to 18,000.

By handing the funding over to one body the report this would not only enable better day-to-day operational support - such as sharing of expertise, knowledge and best-practice - but would also help test that real 'need and want' locally and help encourage the investment to this area from other funders.

Duplication of effort would be avoided as would the need for different organisations to purchase more minibuses as they could be shared according to need at different times, says the report.

Community Transport Sussex would continue to work with Dial-A-Ride Southern Services which would see no reduction in current services.

The remaining budget available for the Community Transport Grants is £10,305 from Adur District Council and £15,510 from Worthing Borough Council for the period of 1st October to 31st March 2019 and it is recommended this is given to Community Transport Sussex.

The decision will be taken the Councils' Executive Members for Health and Wellbeing.

(PR18-220)

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