Community transport services have been boosted after organisations across North Yorkshire have benefited from a scheme that has provided £552,000 in funding to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
The Decarbonising Community Transport Project has given grants to buy electric vehicles such as cars, minibuses and electric mopeds.
To date, 24 electric vehicles including two wheelchair accessible vehicles, and 10 e-mopeds, have been delivered across 11 community transport organisations.
North Yorkshire Council has awarded the grants through the Devolution Deal Net Zero Fund, funded by the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority.
Scarborough Dial a Ride provides community transport for people aged over 60 and people with disabilities. Through the project, they have bought two electric cars with a charging point, and a small electric minibus.
As well as the environmental benefits that the electric cars offer, volunteer drivers have enjoyed having the chance to try electric vehicles and praise their comfort and reduced noise.
Community transport manager, Steve Marsh, said:
“Introducing an electric vehicle to our fleet has shown that we are able to make this technology work for our beneficiaries. The vehicles have proven popular with our volunteer drivers, and with customers providing comfortable, quiet transport.
“This project has given us the confidence to go ahead with the purchase of an electric minibus with further funding, which will be used to support passengers to maintain their independence on many local journeys.”
Ryedale Community Transport provides transport solutions to rurally isolated people, those with mobility issues, young people who need to get to work, education or training as well as group travel.
As part of the scheme, they have purchased six electric mopeds with trackers and two minibuses.
The chief executive officer, Mark Harris, said:
“This project has been a huge success. It has improved the flexibility of providing transport to other organisations and improved the service to those that need us who live in the local community unable to use public transport.
“Our clients are extremely happy with our efforts in trying to reduce the carbon footprint within their local community. In addition, we can provide a choice to our moped riders.”
North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for managing our environment, Cllr Richard Foster, said:
“It’s fantastic to see so many community transport services using the grants to buy electric vehicles and install charging infrastructure as we act to mitigate climate change.
“The project aims to promote the transition to zero-emission vehicles, shifting away from private car use, particularly in rural areas. It is also important to raise awareness about the environmental impact of different travel choices to our community organisations.”
North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for highways and transport, Cllr Malcolm Taylor, said:
“The funding has allowed community organisations to branch out into electric vehicles, and it demonstrates their use in largely rural areas of the county.
“The 11 organisations were able to choose what vehicles and equipment they wanted, and the benefits have been wide-ranging. We hope that more can follow suit and make the switch to electric possible.”
David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, said:
“Delivering real change for our communities is exactly what our Net Zero Fund is for, like new electric minibuses and mopeds, benefiting people in Scarborough and across Ryedale, through clean, reliable energy.
“When we invest in our communities, we can meet our climate goals and build a sustainable future for York and North Yorkshire, together."
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