[Mayor Norris on a WESTlocal in Paulton]
An invitation from West of England Mayor Dan Norris for people to turn their ideas for new, local, not-for-profit buses into reality.
WESTlocal gives communities the chance to design and run new transport services in their area. In order to run WESTlocal services from September, groups need to get their applications in by the end of May, says the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority.
People and local groups are encouraged to join a webinar organised by the Mayoral Combined Authority next Tuesday 7 May (6.30pm to 8pm) to find out more.
Mayoral Combined Authority transport experts and bus operators will be on hand along with communities already running WESTlocal services and who will give the lowdown on their experience.
The first WESTlocal services started in April, one designed by a community interest group (Chew Valley) and the other by a parish council (Paulton) and have already welcomed hundreds of happy passengers.
Mr Norris is urging more communities including schools, faith groups, town and parish councils, and others – to get applying.
Proposed WESTlocal schemes must serve residents based in the West of England. The key criteria for funding are that any scheme is genuinely locally designed and is a new idea, rather than sustaining services that are already in place.
Dan Norris, West of England Mayor, said: “You know your communities best. That’s why I am so keen to hear your ideas. This is people powered transport in action.
“I urge more communities to come forward and see if you can bring a WESTlocal to your area.”
The £2 million scheme is being funded by the Mayoral Combined Authority using money secured from government through the Bus Service Improvement Plan.
People can dial in for the webinar here
