Background
Auchterarder Community Bus Group (ACBuG) was specifically formed in early 2017, by a number of community-based groups and individuals, to address and overcome a severe lack of public transport provision in the residential areas of Auchterarder.
ACBuG directly engaged with local residents about the transport problems being faced. A questionnaire was designed and distributed to every household in Auchterarder.
In total 228 responses were received, of which 64% were from people aged 60 or over. The returns provided a substantial amount of base data that has informed the subsequent planning of a transport solution.
For a not insignificant proportion of the local community carrying out relatively straight forward daily activities, such as shopping or going to a medical appointment, was difficult or even impossible. Social isolation was clearly seen to be a real issue for some residents.
It was clear to ACBuG that this was as an excellent opportunity for Auchterarder residents to directly address how best to tackle the inequality issues and identify ways of financially supporting an appropriate transport response. The aim was to allow people to participate in community life and access local services/facilities.
Town Bus Service
ACBuG Trustees considered what type of transport solution we should look to provide, with a review of potential car and minibus based transport solutions undertaken.
How the local residents would access the service, how the transport resource would be supplied, user cost and staffing implications for ACBuG were all important considerations.
Ultimately we concluded that the traditional community transport model of buying a minibus and looking to recruit volunteer drivers would not deliver what we wanted.
We decided to be more innovative, with our goal being to contract a PSV-licensed bus operator to deliver a publicly available Town Bus Service. The significant financial implications of this aspiration were recognised at the outset.
However ACBuG considered the potential benefits to be significant in terms of:
- hours and days of operation
- no need for pre-booking
- many users receiving free travel
Setup
From autumn 2018 ACBuG set about:
- Specifying, tendering and awarding a bus contract
- Applying for funding from a number of trusts and organisations
An important initial step for ACBuG was applying to OSCR, the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator, to become a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organsiation (SCIO).
ACBuG met the charity test and legal requirements for being a SCIO and we were duly entered in the Scottish Charity Register on 30 August 2018, charity number SC048669.
The organisation’s purpose is to ‘provide a public transport service for those inhabitants living in Auchterarder and surrounding area that supports the advancement of citizenship or community development’.
The Trustees run and manage ACBuG according to a Constitution (single-tier) that was accepted by OSCR. Being a SCIO allows ACBuG to apply for grants from a variety of trusts and public/third sector funds.
To ensure ACBuG could demonstrate best value to potential funders, we formally tendered the Town Bus Service, even though it is not a pre-requisite for charities.
Additionally, it also ensures that the successful bus operator is contractually required to meet our operational standards; in terms of service quality, customer care etc.
Engaging with the wider community continued during the procurement process, with feedback influencing the final operational plans for the bus service (including days of operation, routes and timetables).
A low floor, wheelchair accessible, vehicle – that is able to penetrate the residential areas – was specified.
Two four-year transport contracts were subsequently awarded in May 2019 to Auchterarder based bus operator, Docherty’s Midland Coaches – who will deliver the specified Town Bus Service.
Funding
Operating a transport scheme – and particularly a local bus service – is clearly expensive. Thus a great deal of effort has been made in applying for funding.
ACBuG is exceedingly grateful for the financial support, both received and committed, from key funding partners without whom we would not have been able to start the Town Bus Service. Visit our Funders page for details.