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Rural Affairs Minister launches Community Bus Scheme in South Lakeland

At 1.30p.m. on Monday 9 June, at County Hall, Kendal, Rural Affairs Minister, Alun Michael hands over the keys to two community minibuses, launching the latest community transport scheme to be funded by the County Council's South Lakeland Local Committee. 

Together, the Chair of South Lakes Committee, County Councillor Ian Stewart and the Minister will hand the minibus keys to Mary Gough from Community Transport South Lakeland (CTSL). CTSL is the community transport broker and will co-ordinate the use of the buses. Alun Michael says, 

"I am pleased to be in Kendal to launch this innovative new community transport scheme. Many rural communities face daily problems in accessing local services. The community bus scheme promotes social inclusion and encourages the shift away from car use to more economic and environmental forms of transport." 

Cumbria County Council's South Lakes Local Committee (SLLC) funded the project to the tune of £40,000. County Councillor Ian Stewart, Chair of the Committee says, 

"Consultation with young people has made us particularly aware of the transport problems they face, leading to them missing out on activities they would otherwise chose to take part in. We supported a successful lottery bid by South Lakeland Community Transport (SLCT) last year to provide a brokerage service for community transport. This has resulted in a Community mini bus based in Kendal. These two additional buses, and our commitment to allocate further funding and to work with others to extend community transport, will ensure young people and other members of the community in more rural areas can access services many people take for granted. We are also supporting training for volunteer drivers to enable more youth leaders and young people to become qualified mini bus drivers." 

Anyone interested in learning more about the community mini bus service or additional buses on existing routes can contact Mary Gough, Community Transport South Lakeland on (01539) 735598.