Community Transport Group

BACKGROUND AND MEMBERSHIP

This group was formed after GMPRG’s Community Vision Update survey identified local transport as being inadequate, and a demand for improvement.  Its membership includes representatives from GMPRG, Great Missenden Parish Councillors, Bucks County Councillor, Bucks Public Transport Department, Prestwood Village Association (PVA), Great Missenden Village Association (GMVA), Kingshill Couriers, Prestwood Area Community Transport (PACT) and volunteer local residents.

An initial meeting was held with Arriva to explore ways of improving local bus services. This was then followed by a meeting of the Project Group to review the situation and decide next steps.

OBJECTIVES

The initial group objectives are as follows:

• To identify the demand for improving existing public transport and providing community transport within Great Missenden Parish during peak hours and off-peak hours.
• To identify possible solutions to meet that demand (eg improved public bus service, provision of community bus, links with existing taxi firms, – Kingshill Couriers, Red Kite,“dial-a-ride”, bus/train integration etc,eg PACT + 4×4 winter transport).
• To get an overview of financial viability of the options, including public bus finances via councils, and the significance of cost to the users.
• To consult with local transport providers on ways to meet the identified demand.

Subsequent round-table discussion among the Group has also made evident that there is quite a strong environmental aspect to this group. As such, this plays also to another strong theme of the Community Vision consultation: the appreciation of our rural character and environment, and the need to take steps to maintain it.

Updates on progress and meetings will appear below.