Two sub-national transport bodies (STBs) in the South West have joined funds to offer up to £100k (£50k each) to fund rural transport schemes in their respective regions.
Western Gateway STB and Peninsula Transport STB are offering organisations, charities, businesses, local authorities and community groups the opportunity to secure up to £50k to drive forward a transport scheme to help make harder-to-reach places more liveable communities. Each £50k may be allocated across more than one pilot in that STB region.
The Western Gateway region encompasses Gloucestershire down to Bournemouth, and includes the bustling cities of Bristol, Gloucester, Cheltenham, Salisbury and Bath, as well as the towns of Weymouth, Stroud, Tewksbury, Dorchester and Cirencester. The Peninsula Transport region includes Cornwall, Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay.
Organisations, charities, local authorities and community groups are encouraged to apply for the funding if their schemes can address one or more of six challenges that rural communities face. These include operational sustainability of rural transport, meeting Net Zero targets, making rural mobility moreequitable and affordable for users, meeting local community needs and making tourism-related mobility more sustainable.
Western Gateway Board members, Cllr Andy Hadley, and Cllr Sarah Warren said:
“Our region contains many rural towns, villages and coastal communities, plus even more isolated hamlets and dwellings. Around a quarter of our residents live in such areas and many more come to visit these special places. By providing funding for rural pilot schemes, we can help to improve access to and from our rural places, increasing opportunities for rural residents, boosting the economy and protecting our local and global environment.
“Last year’s pilot scheme funding has already been used to facilitate a regular weekend shuttle bus to and from West Bay in Dorset and open up areas in Gloucestershire through support for e-bikes and demand responsive transport. If you have a scheme you think will meet our criteria and make a difference, whether it will be used operationally or to help promote services, then we’d love to hear from you.”
Cllr John Stephens, Peninsula Transport Chair, added:
“We’re proud to support a second round of rural mobility pilot projects, helping South West communities that often face the greatest transport challenges. This work directly supports our Strategic Implementation Plan (SIP), where improving rural connectivity is a key priority.
“Many rural residents struggle to access everyday services. Through these pilots and the South West Rural Mobility Strategy, we’re working to find lasting, local solutions that make travel easier, fairer, and more sustainable. In partnership with Western Gateway, the first round of funded projects are underway, and the project in the Peninsula Transport area near Bodmin is building a community-led transport network. We’re excited to see how it continues to grow and benefit local people.”
Last year, the two transport bodies supported a number of schemes across the region as part of this pilot initiative. To date, Western Gateway STB has funded a Bridport to West Bay regular bus service, promotional materials for a Demand Responsive Transport service in Gloucestershire, and put money towards e-bike, car hire and a mobility hub in the Forest of Dean. Peninsula Transport STB have funded a community-led bus transport service around Bodmin and Lanivet.
Applications are currently open and will close on Sunday 5 October 2025.
To apply visit the Peninsula Transport website here.
(Pic: Peninsula Transport)
