A new approach to community transport

Ever since our original community transport survey back in 2022, we have been considering how we can better meet local transport needs. The challenge was not simply to replace one minibus with another, but to solve a set of practical problems: find a vehicle people would want to use, that more volunteers could drive, and that the Trust could afford and operate reliably and sustainably.

A vehicle more people can drive

Our previous 12-seat minibus was not ideal for every journey or every driver. Its size and licence requirements restricted who could drive it. We wanted something more manageable on our narrow local roads, comfortable for passengers and accessible to volunteers with a standard driving licence, widening our pool of potential drivers.

Refuelling locally

For a remote community, having to travel beyond the glen to refuel a petrol or diesel vehicle is a burden and a cost. With disruption on the A83 expected to increase over the coming years, these journeys could become even more inconvenient. There is little prospect of a filling station ever returning to the village, but local electric vehicle charging provision will definitely improve. An EV allows us to charge locally while reducing running costs and hiring fees.

Meeting most needs, sustainably

We looked for a vehicle that could handle local roads, provide comfortable community passenger transport, and offer good long-term value. The aim was to meet the vast majority of everyday community transport needs without taking on unnecessary operating costs. 

We recognise that one vehicle cannot meet every need - our choice does not provide wheelchair access, for example. So we will explore alternative arrangements, including hiring a suitable accessible vehicle when required.

Putting the decision into practice

This decision is about more than replacing a minibus. It was about finding a practical, sustainable way to provide real community transport. The next step is to establish workable arrangements for bookings and volunteer drivers. If you want to get involved, contact us at board@lochgoil-trust.org