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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 7th

August 2013 (Session 4)

Report on Community Transport which issome 60 pages in length. The Committee heard oral evidence as well as written evidence from awide range of community transport operators who had spent a considerable amount of time andeffort to ensure these responses were clear, concise and well structured. ATI is of the belief thatexamination of this document will answer the questions raised in the above proposed bill.

COMMUNITY TRANSPORT INQUIRYANNANDALE TRANSPORT INITIATIVEWRITTEN SUBMISSIONATI 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 150registered groups and a number individual users, along with over 40 volunteer drivers and 4admin/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 ishoping 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 thefollowing contributions to your inquiry.1. Since the CONCORDAT when the Scottish Government devolved responsibility for funding to LocalAuthorities 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 andsupport 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 ourbuses will soon need to be replaced.ATI would like the Scottish Government to create a scheme to support Capital Grant funding andinvestigate a National scheme to allow leasing of buses to be affordable.3. ATI would support a National Strategy for Community Transport which would require LocalAuthorities to have a similarly strategic approach to CT.The Third Sector is increasingly important to delivering services in Scotland. Unfortunately this seemsto be mistaken as a way to deliver services more cheaply. The Scottish Government should embracethe values of the Voluntary Sector and commit to helping the Third Sector by having a clear strategy toprovide appropriate and adequate funding. This would still be a 'best value' decision by the

governmentGordon G FerrieDirectorAnnandale Transport Initative

18 April 2013