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Inverness and Nairn Transport Forum

Read all about it. Whats happening in the world of transport locally and nationally.

The SCATA bus on shopping trip, providing an essential service and supporting the community.

An interview with Sue Fenton, administrator for the Strathnairn Community Access and Transport Association.

Question: What drew your attention to the need for transport provision in Strathnairn?

Sue: I was studying for a qualification in Environmental Justice. As part of my coursework I undertook an environmental audit of the strath which highlighted several issues including the need for transport. I was the editor of the community council newsletter so it was easy to reach all 400 households. As further assignements, I drew up a business plan and looked at how a group should be constituted. I then spoke with the Transport Development Officer and talked over the plan with him in January 2004. The minibus arrived in November 2004.

Question: How did you determine what type of transport was needed?

Sue: A consultation established that most potential volunteer drivers did not want to sit a further driving test, so it was decided to have an eight seater. I spoke to the Badenoch and Strathspey group and recieved very helpful advice from them. One of our potential clients uses a motorised scooter, so we needed a vehicle that could accomodate him.

Question: How did you go about financing the project?

Sue: The minibus was largely funded through the Rural Community Transport Initiative from the Scottish Executive. Part of the coursework mentioned above included finding out about suitable funding streams, and I wrote a lot of letters!

One grant came purely out of the blue as a result of SCATA having a stall at the Farr Gala in August 2004. A local businessman approached us and suggested we asked his company for funds. So we did!

Question: How do you feel it has progressed?

Sue: SCATA has been going for a year now and is used regularily by a small group of people who would otherwise have no access to shops, doctors, pharmacies and the lunch club. A trial commuting run proved disastrous however, as almost everyone preferred to travel by car, alone.

Question? What would you have done differently if anything?

Sue: Nothing! Recruiting drivers has been difficult though, and local schools are reluctant to use our services...

Question? What advice would you give to someone starting up?

Sue: You need patience and stickability! Starting up is the easy bit, it is keeping everything going that is hard! Diplomacy is needed in a small community.

Rural Community Transport Development Officer Jim McCreath has announced the success of the Ardersier, Petty, Croy and Culloden Moor Transport Association in gaining funding from the Scottish Executive RCTI grant. CED funding has also been granted. Once the group has purchased their preferred choice of transport, co-ordination will be undertaken by the Community transport co-ordinator based in Nairn.

Funding latest.

The RCTI funded survey of Beauly / Loch Ness West has been completed and results are available from the Forums Development Officer through the contact us page, or by clicking on the link found on the Events page.

New developments.

The forum has been instrumental in forming the new Highland & Island Community Transport Forum. This body will represent all volunteer and community transport groups throughout the HITRANS area to enable a greater say on relevant transport issues. First meeting with HITRANS is on 27th of June at HITRANS office at the airport. For further info contact Jim through the Contact Us page.

Transport Scotland launched.