Part-time Researcher – Community Transport in South Devon

We have secured funding from South Hams District Council for a project to evaluate and explore the potential for collaboration between the various community transport (CT) operators in the region.

CT serves a wide range of passengers, providing services to areas without public transport, day trips and excursions for residents, hospital transport, hire to community groups, and many other socially beneficial activities. But operators are generally small charities and lack the infrastructure and support available to the commercial sector. We want to build a picture of capabilities, strengths and weaknesses, and see if benefits could result from a more collaborative approach to (for example) HR support, fundraising, training, H&S compliance, vehicle maintenance, etc.

The researcher will be responsible for carrying out a review of the sector, identifying good practice and eventually helping to draft proposals for practical implementation. They will work closely with partners University of West of England, the Community Transport Association and the Devon Community Transport Network.