Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority felt that community transport organisations had the potential to be an important part of an integrated transport strategy. However, they lacked professionalism and resources, including staff and vehicles that prevented them from reaching their potential.

GMCOTM addresses local communities’ needs and combats social exclusion by using the flexibility of the community transport sector to plug gaps in the public transport network.

The project team began by consulting on, developing and agreeing a professional level of competence and training and set about helping organisations to meet these standards. A forum provided advice, peer support, training and practical help with business planning and development.

The Greater Manchester Community Transport Trust Fund gave revenue support to operators – paying extra drivers to work evenings and weekends or identifying opportunities to work with community groups and in disadvantaged areas.

The sector now operates 83% of the districts demand-responsive transport services, with 20 vehicles allocated to operators. Ten organisations have qualified driver trainers and six organisations have obtained the nationally recognised certificate of professional competence in passenger transport management, offering local driver training. Two operators are piloting a scheme sharing resources with Manchester City Council and Greater Manchester Accessible Transport Ltd.

Learning points: structures, strategies and funding streams needed to be in place at the beginning. GMPTE established another sector within the transport industry that helps meet their social inclusion objectives:

Local transport operators, the community

A project team was set up to run the project supported by external consultants.

Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority
Terry Crewe (Customised Services Officer)

/05/2002

case

Urban Policy

Social inclusion & integration, Transport and infrastructure