Join in the conversation about ways to improve transport in rural areas! Learn more about our Communities Tackling Loneliness with Transport project and hear and discuss ideas for the future!
Transport in rural areas
On Thursday 20 June, 12:00-2:00pm, we will host a webinar showcasing the final evaluation from the University of Winchester on the DfT (Department for Transport)- Communities Tackling Loneliness with Sustainable Transport project. Whilst rural transport was not a primary focus for this project, some initiatives took place in rural areas and inevitably, when talking about loneliness and transport together, the impact of the lack of transport in rural areas is mentioned.
Book your place on the online session at this link
Finding innovative solutions in light of possible budget cuts
At a time when statutory funding for both community transport and subsidised rural bus routes is under threat, there is an urgent desire and need to find innovative solutions to ensure those in rural areas can access the services they need.
Understanding the challenges in delivering sustainable transport in rural areas
The DfT evaluation highlights the difficulties encountered using electric vehicles. Drivers struggled with insufficient EV charging points and keeping the vehicles warm in Winter used the battery life more quickly. In rural areas the issues were exacerbated by longer journeys, the need to factor in additional charging time and even fewer EV charging opportunities. This experience is consistent with a recent report from the County Councils Network who found one available EV charge point every 10 miles in rural areas, compared to one every 4.5 miles in urban areas.
Demand responsive transport options
As well as increasing the number of public EV charging points, another potential solution to the rural transport challenge is ‘demand responsive transport’ such as the Robin Bookable Bus Service in Gloucestershire. These small buses can be booked up to an hour before travel using an app. They aim to offer a flexible, efficient and cost-effective solution in areas poorly served by traditional buses, and in Gloucestershire the scheme has been successful and recently expanded to include three new areas.
There can be drawbacks to demand responsive transport, however. At the recent RSN Transport webinar, concerns were raised that there were limits to the flexibility of this type of service and with sometimes only one person travelling, it can be cheaper but less effective too. They are not considered ‘cool’ so are less likely to appeal to younger people who perceive them as transport for older people. The lower numbers travelling mean that they may not be as beneficial for reducing isolation within the older community. Many of the older people participating in the DfT project said that the conversation during the journey was as important as the social activity they attended.
Limiting public transport impacts the young and old
Whilst we often focus on the isolating impact of poor rural transport for older people, the negative impact for younger people is also significant, reducing their ability to choose schools/colleges and with reported cases of students dropping out of college because unreliable transport has led to them falling behind with their studies. It limits employment opportunities, and we now also increasingly recognise that loneliness is a problem for younger people too.
Have your say about rural transport and raise your concerns with your Prospective Parliamentary Candidate (PPC)
In the run up to the UK General Election on Thursday 4 July, the Rural Services Network (RSN) is highlighting eight key campaign areas with questions to ask your PPC, one of which is about Rural Transport “What strategies will you implement to improve transportation infrastructure in rural areas, thereby reducing isolation and supporting local economies?’ Just before a General Election is a great time to let your views be heard and ask how rural transport will be addressed.
There are no easy solutions and what works well in some areas, may not work so well in others. If rural issues matter to you, do ask your PPC what strategies they have for transport and the other seven key areas identified by the RSN.
Follow this link to join our webinar
Follow this link for Securing Rural Futures: Engaging PPCs in the Winning the Rural Vote Campaign
