Funding for Community Transport

East Sussex County Council is running a project to encourage the growth and expansion of community transport schemes in the county and offering once-off grants to groups and organisations who want to either expand an existing CT operation or start a new CT operation which serves the area/s below.

Community transport (CT) is the term used to describe a range of non-profit passenger transport services which have been developed within local communities to provide transport for people who, for a variety of reasons, find it difficult or impossible to use conventional public transport.

The County Council is offering once-off grants to groups and organisations who want to either expand an existing CT operation or start a new CT operation which serves the area/s below. These are the core areas where the County Council is interested in developing CT and will be the initial priority areas for funding.

Ashburnham Dallington Westfield Warbleton Maresfield
Brightling Iden Ewhurst-Staplecross Heathfield Glynde
East Guldeford Etchingham Hooe Withyham Chailey
Penhurst Camber Chalvington/Ripe Forest Row Newick

All submissions will need to show a solid transport need and evidence base for the proposed scheme. Ensuring the long term financial sustainability is also important as the grant funding provided by the Council is not intended to subsidise the CT scheme, but rather assist in the start-up of the project. Groups are also encouraged to, wherever possible, use existing vehicles rather than proposing the purchase of new vehicles – this will help to ensure better value for money.

We would encourage groups to work in partnership with other community groups and also existing CT service operators wherever appropriate as this pooled knowledge may assist the development of a robust scheme and ensure effective implementation and operation of a transport scheme which best serves the community.

A copy of the application form is downloadable below
Contact Gillian Laughlin on 01273 482584 / gillian.laughlin@eastsussex.gov.uk or Siân Wardhaugh on 01273 335788 / sian.wardhaugh@eastsussex.gov.uk.