LOCAL BUS STRATEGY STRATEGAETH BWS LLEOL

14 COMMUNITY TRANSPORT
14.1 The Council and GAVO (Gwent Association of Voluntary Organisations) commissioned
consultants Steer Davies Gleave (SDG) to undertake a review of community transport in
Caerphilly. The two objectives of the commission were:
• to establish the need for community transport – i.e. to identify the client group and
their transport needs through qualitative and quantitative research; and
• to identify practical, costed transport solutions to meet these needs.
14.2 The LTP Progress Report also covers this study, listing the consultant’s recommended
actions.
14.3 Summary of Transport Provision
The study concluded that overall, the local bus network in Caerphilly county borough is
good, particularly on north to south routes. The analysis and consultation identified
notable gaps in the network including early morning and for specific health related
journeys. It noted that there is a considerable lack of accessible vehicles on the bus
network, making journeys for those with mobility impairments difficult, particularly
when accessible buses are not allocated consistently to specific routes. In comparison
with other local authorities, it highlighted that Caerphilly county borough spends more
per capita on supported bus services but less on accessible transport.
The current Community Transport (CT) provision has developed on a largely ad hoc
basis and is trying to meet demand, which reportedly exceeds its capacity. Focus Group
studies suggested that the awareness of CT schemes is low among residents, even the
elderly and disabled and there appears to be some uncertainty over cost and how
bookings can be made.
14.4 Need and Provision
The study concluded there is a clear need for CT. Information provided by the CT
organisations suggested they currently provide for around 57,000 trips every year. The
analysis identified that there is a potential need for substantially more trips than this in
the community.
However, it noted that not all residents with transport needs require door to door transport
and their needs could be met from improved/accessible public transport.
14.5 Way Forward
Given the expenditure required and current disparate nature of CT provision in Caerphilly
county borough, it was recommended that a phased approach be taken, with initial
improvements to the existing situation in the short term, but providing a solid framework
for the development of a wider CT scheme in the future. Key to the recommendations is
considering CT in the context of broader transport provision. The nature and availability
of other public transport will influence the level of need for CT and the nature of its
provision to meet those needs.
The primary focus of co-ordination and funding and development of CT should be to
improve the provision of CT to those who are in most need of door to door transport, i.e.
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