Bridgend Association of Voluntary Organisations

BAVO's networks and forums offer local groups an opportunity to meet with other organisations, to share ideas and concerns, to develop interagency partnerships and to agree voluntary sector standpoints to take forward into consultation with statutory and other bodies.

BAVO supports the following networks and forums:

Bridgend County Community Transport Forum

Transport and access to services is a key issue for many individuals and communities in rural and urban areas of SE Wales. Whilst conventional bus services meet the needs of many people, there is a substantial minority who need a more specialised or individual service, for example people with disabilities or people who live in outlying or remote rural areas who still need access to services such as healthcare, shopping and employment. CT and other flexible or ‘demand responsive’ transport services exist to meet their needs.

CT schemes encourage alternative transport solutions to reduce the use of the car and provide a range of transport services to individuals, community groups and voluntary organisations. ‘Joined up’ schemes promote social inclusion and help rural communities' access employment, retail, health & care facilities, education, leisure and social activities and operate using conventional or wheelchair accessible minibuses and cars. They provide accessible, safe, affordable and professional transport services to local communities, often using minibuses, but also with vehicles both smaller (such as people carriers) and larger (such as coaches).

The primary objective of any CT service must include the ability to increase accessibility, widen travel choice and support wider travel opportunities for all potential users of CT services in the BCB area.

BCB is however by its very nature a wide and geographically varied County where some areas are well served by commercial transport options and opportunities, and some areas because of a variety of reasons, poorly served.

Therefore to raise the profile of CT in the area, BAVO will facilitate the creation of a Community Transport Forum which will be made up of groups who have transport issues and concerns, and where these issues can be raised for discussion.

As you may be aware, there is currenty a good community transport provision for elderley and disabled passengers via OTED, we will be working with OTED to ensure a complimetary provision.

If you are interested in participating or keeping up to date with CT progress, please email Christina Christie