BUS REGULATION (SCOTLAND) BILL

RESPONSE BY ANNANDALE TRANSPORT INTIATIVE

At its meeting on 20 February 2013 the Infrastructure and Capital Investment Committee (ICI)
agreed its approach to an inquiry into community transport in Scotland.

The outcome was the 7
th
August 2013 (Session 4) Report on Community Transport which is
some 60 pages in length. The Committee heard oral evidence as well as written evidence from a
wide range of community transport operators who had spent a considerable amount of time and
effort to ensure these responses were clear, concise and well structured. ATI is of the belief that
examination of this document will answer the questions raised in the above proposed bill.


COMMUNITY TRANSPORT INQUIRY
ANNANDALE TRANSPORT INITIATIVE
WRITTEN SUBMISSION
ATI has delivered community transport to the Annandale area since 1999. It has grown from two
accessible minibuses to 6 accessible minibuses and 2 people carriers. There are presently 150
registered groups and a number individual users, along with over 40 volunteer drivers and 4
admin/maintenance staff. ATI has achieved Investors in People recognition on 3 occasions.
ATI has taken on an increasingly important community transport role in the Annandale area and is
hoping to expand to include the area of Eskdale which includes Langholm.
To help ensure ATIs continued existence and growth on behalf of ATI I would like to make the
following contributions to your inquiry.
1. Since the CONCORDAT when the Scottish Government devolved responsibility for funding to Local
Authorities ATI has been well supported by Dumfries and Galloway Council in terms of annual funding.
However the Council funds for one year at a time which makes forward planning, Business Plans and
support from other funders exceptionally difficult.
ATI would like funding to be for 3 year periods as previously administered by RCTI.
2. Our minibus fleet is ageing and despite a very rigorous maintenance programme a number of our
buses will soon need to be replaced.
ATI would like the Scottish Government to create a scheme to support Capital Grant funding and
investigate a National scheme to allow leasing of buses to be affordable.
3. ATI would support a National Strategy for Community Transport which would require Local
Authorities to have a similarly strategic approach to CT.
The Third Sector is increasingly important to delivering services in Scotland. Unfortunately this seems
to be mistaken as a way to deliver services more cheaply. The Scottish Government should embrace
the values of the Voluntary Sector and commit to helping the Third Sector by having a clear strategy to
provide appropriate and adequate funding. This would still be a 'best value' decision by the
government
Gordon G Ferrie
Director
Annandale Transport Initative
18 April 2013