Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT), Scotland’s largest regional transport body, has announced new grant funding for a community transport project in South Ayrshire.

South Ayrshire Community Transport (SACT) will receive £106,825 grant funding to continue its work across the region. The organisation was formed in 2016 by a consortium of local community transport operators and third sector organisations who identified a large number of unmet transport needs across South Ayrshire.

The funding will secure the MyBus Rural DRT service, allowing it to expand to a four-day operation and will also support the CB8 bus service which connects the rural community of Barr with Girvan, providing a key link for shopping, healthcare and other amenities offered in Girvan, and interchange with mainstream public transport services.

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The funding is part of £1.3m grant investment programme from SPT into community transport operations across the West of Scotland.

SPT chair Stephen Dornan said: “Community transport is the lifeblood of transport and the value it offers the communities we serve is invaluable.

“South Ayrshire Community Transport is a crucial service in helping people from across South Ayrshire travel around the area and its work with disadvantaged groups, in particular, is a vital service.

“We are delighted to support the programme with grant funding, and we hope to see the organisation continue to serve the people of South Ayrshire for years to come.

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Duncan Townson, SPT board member and South Ayrshire councillor, said: “SACT is a beloved community transport charity in my area, supporting families across the region with affordable and accessible transport services.

“Their focus on connecting rural communities is both vitally important and hugely valued by the community and this six-figure grant is very much welcome.

“Transport operators are facing unprecedented challenges over the next few years so this grant funding will be critical in safeguarding the incredible work SACT do each and every day.”