This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Cumnock community transport project
29/08/2003
Communities Minister Margaret Curran today visited a
community transport project in Cumnock today.
The Community Transport Project was set up to provide
affordable, accessible minibus services because infrequent
transport was a problem.
The service allows people to take part in the activities
many take for granted, such as getting to the shops or to
the local swimming pool.
It has recently expanded to offer 'Day Hopper' and 'Day
Shopper' excursions to people on benefits, the disabled,
lone parents or the elderly.
Now, over 100 community groups are affiliated -
including Cumnock and Doon Blind Club and Muirkirk Primary
School - and the project has 140 volunteer drivers with the
majority accredited to a nationally recognised driver
scheme.
Margaret Curran said:
"We want to focus on the issues that matter the most to
people. This community transport initiative has helped
transform the lives of many people in East Ayrshire, by
allowing them to take part in the kinds of activity most of
us take for granted such as going to the shops.
"Around Scotland, around 900 Social Inclusion
Partnership projects are working to help improve people's
lives. We need to learn from initiatives like the East
Ayrshire Coalfield Community Transport Project and build on
their success."
Funding of £250,000 was made available to the East
Ayrshire Coalfield Community Transport Project, including
£101,300 from the East Ayrshire Coalfield Area Social
Inclusion Partnership, £60,000 from the Coalfield
Regeneration Trust, £20,000 from East Ayrshire Council,
£88,000 from the Rural Transport Initiative and £25,000
from Scottish Enterprise Ayrshire.