New Community Transport Scheme for Eden

People living in the Eden area are set to benefit from a new community transport scheme being launched at Newton Rigg, Penrith, on Wednesday, 16th April at 11am. 

The Eden Brokerage, operated by North Cumbria Community Transport, is a minibus sharing scheme that offers affordable and accessible transport to community groups with a transport need and ensures that buses are used to their full potential for the good of the community. 

Councillor Kevan Wilkinson, County Council spokesman for transport, will be helping launch the scheme on Wednesday. He said:   

"Community transport is a priority for Cumbria County Council and we have worked with a number of organisations to ensure that individuals and community groups in rural areas across the county have access to transport through brokerage schemes and voluntary car schemes. 

I am delighted that we are now in a position to help set up a brokerage scheme in Eden. There are already a number of excellent transport schemes in the area and this new project will build on what already exists, extending community transport in Eden. Brokerage schemes not only offer affordable and accessible transport to groups with a need, they also ensure that community vehicles are used to their full potential, minimising the amount of time they are unused and providing an income to those groups." 

The brokerage scheme is available to non profit making groups or organisations involved in social welfare, education, religion, recreation or any other activity of benefit to the community. Vehicles can either be made available on a self drive basis or provided with a volunteer driver. Cumbria County Council has already funded a number of vehicles in partnership with the Countryside Agency and other organisations and it is hoped that these vehicles will take part in the scheme. 

A new project co-ordinator has been appointed for the scheme. Barrie Tye will be managing the scheme from the new centre, which has been set up in Newton Rigg. As well as co-ordinating the scheme, he is also available to provide community groups with information and advice on transport issues including insurance, legislation, driver training and purchasing a minibus. 

Any community group who would like to register a minibus with the scheme or who has a transport need should contact the co-ordinator on 01768 868118.