£2m fleet of new minibuses for community groups and charities

In 2014 the government pledged to invest £25m in new minibuses to improve transport links for community groups and charities. With £2m released in the first round of funding, 350 minibuses have now been allocated to more than 300 organisations.

On 8 September, Transport Minister Andrew Jones announced the second £2m round of funding while handing over the keys for a new minibus to successful bidders Harborough Community Bus in Market Harborough.




Mr Jones said: “Community transport is vitally important in helping get people to hospitals, towns and shops, as well as supporting employment and education. It is particularly important in rural and isolated areas, helping thousands of people across the country get on and get around.”

“This fund is making an enormous difference to organisations, like Harborough Community Bus enabling them to help people participate in local life.”

The second round of funding closes 2 December 2016 and is being managed by the Community Transport Association (CTA), the membership association for community minibus operators. CTA Chief Executive Bill Freeman, said: “The first round of funding for community minibuses has strengthened the ability of community transport providers to provide accessible and inclusive transport, improving the everyday lives of people across England.”

“This second round provides a welcome boost for communities across England and we look forward to supporting operators who are planning to apply for part of the £2 million funding.”

Successful organisations will benefit from one or more minibuses tailored to their requirements, with adaptations to improve accessibility and provide wheelchair ramps or hydraulic lifts where required.



Minibus World is proud to have submitted an application to the CTA to provide communities with much needed minibuses, and look forward to hearing if we have been chosen as a partner.

To view Minibus World's range of wheelchair accessible Community Transport minibuses, many of which you CanDrive on a Category B car licence click here.

November 07, 2016