Travel & Connectivity Marr

1. Travel & ConnectivityMarr A Rural Problem

2. Integrated Approach Its Complicated! • Options for Transport • Eg. Cycling, Ebikes, Public Transport, Community Transport • Improving Infrastructure • Eg. Paths, EV Charging points, Bicycle parking • Reducing Need • Eg. Digital Infrastructure • Education for behaviour change • Eg. Cutting down on Journeys, Car Sharing, flexible working

3. Marr Community Plan 2016-19Connected Communities • Residents of Marr have access to safe, active travel options • Towns and villages are connected with routes that can be accessed by all • Residents in Marr have access to reliable and/or community transport • options • Communities in Marr receive broadband and mobile phone coverage that is reliable and cost effective • Community Transport options

4. Why has this been a priority for the MCPG‘Its something we have to do together’ • Access to employment, education, training, amenities and social activities is important to the health and wellbeing of the population and the economic sustainability of communities. • For those reliant on local transport networks, either public or community, gaps in their provision can impact on the ability to access services and opportunities. • Rural communities can now be connected in multiple ways through transport, active travel and accessible online services.

5. Community Paths GroupsMarr Community Paths Digital Forum To join us firstly you need to join the ‘host’ site Knowledge Hub through link below. Once you are a member simply search Marr Community Paths and ask to join us. If you have any difficulties email info@marrareapartnership.org.uk https://khub.net/group/guest

6. Communities in Marr are part of the solution • Community Transport Services • Alford Car Transport Service (ACTS) • Ballater Royal Deeside • Silver Circle Community Transport • Hospital Voluntary Driver Service • Mid Deeside Community Trust • Innovative Solutions • Huntly & District Development Trust • Upper Donside proposals Note: Often need long term subsidies. Aberdeenshire Council offer small one-off grant funding of up to £3,000 to assist groups who would like to provide a new community transport service, or to help existing groups to pilot a new service or purchase equipment not already grant funded.

7. Effective schemes • Accessible and inclusive • Address a genuine unmet transport need • Personal (ised) • Sustainable and resilient • Safe and legal – drivers and regulation • Known about and well-used • Integrated with other modes

8. Making it happen • Decide what you need and how you’re going to do it • Needs sustainability over longer term • Vehicle maintenance and inspection • Insurance • Fuel • Driver qualifications and training • Permits or licensing • Sources of funding

9. Nuts and bolts • Need to incorporate? • Form – charitable company, SCIO, CIC? • Vehicle accessibility • Who’s going to do the work? • Recruiting volunteers • Booking trips • Monitoring and evaluation, reporting back • Support

10. Useful Starting Points Visit our ctauk.org and share your stories on social media using #withoutCT @CTAUK1 Aberdeenshire Council are able to offer small one off funding of up to £3,000 to assist groups who would like to provide a new community transport service, or help existing groups to pilot a new service or purchase equipment not already grant funded To find out more call 01467 539084 https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/roads-and-travel/public-transport/community-transport/advice/ The Community Locally, regionally and nationally there are a number of Community Transport Schemes who you could learn from.

12. Green Travel Club - Project Delivery • Multi-pronged project with full time project manager delivered: • A community Car Club via a Co-Wheels franchise (initially 3 small cars – 1 x petrol, 1 x hybrid, 1 x electric) • Acquisition of 10 x e-bikes available for hire via HDDT offices • Establishment of annual cycling events to encourage and promote cycling • “Tales from the Tyre” events to promote and encourage cycling with talks also given at the local secondary and primary schools – key speakers such as Mark Beaumont, Graeme Oberee & others • A range of walking events held in collaboration with Deveron Arts and their Walking Institute • Winter Cycling and Walking Challenge – successfully matched Mark Beaumont’s 6,718 mile cycle across Africa by encouraging people to give up a car journey and replace with a walk or cycle – recorded via a web portal • Provided financial support to the Bike Shack, a bike recycling project in Huntly by local mental health charity Networks of Wellbeing • Support for local cyclists to form Huntly Community Cycling, a newly constituted group to promote and develop cycling in the area.

13. Green Travel Hub Progress • Successes • Challenges • Car club – Electric charging infrastructure delayed in 2015 – EV had to handed back – nearest charge point was Keith • Electric van added in 2017 – however poor uptake despite initial high interest. Range anxiety/technology fears and the need for accurate journey planning all cited as factors in poor uptake. Similar story in other rural areas. Urban areas are the opposite. EV’s very successful • Continual need to raise awareness and promote e-bike hire • Accessibility of e-bikes – Limited to office hours for collection / drop-off (smart locker project should help with this)       • Funding to meet ongoing costs is difficult – can we make the initiative pay enough to cover its costs? HDDT is currently supporting the cost by circa £15,000 a year. • Positive impact on tourism – People choosing Huntly as a destination due to e-bike hire (Dutch tourists, holiday homes), Audax grown from 60 entrants to 200 in 2018 • E-bike usage/rental growing year on year • Car club usage and membership continues to grow • Large attendance at talks by Mark Beumont (Around the world in 80 days), Lee Craigie, Shanon Galpin, Graeme Obree • Partnering with The Gordon Schools and pupils on climate challenge days • Ongoing increasing usage of community minibus service

14. Addition of Community Minibus Started in Sept 17 HDDT took on the support/logistics role of the Community minibus group. The group was in danger of folding due to retirement issues. Our Role Arranging volunteer drivers on monthly rota Recruiting new users Take & manage booking Raising and promote the service Our Aim To expand the services to outlying AB54 community and develop a local bus service between villages and the town

15. Next Steps Develop wider network Add vehicle to the car club (and e-bikes) in Rhynie – subject of new CCF bid Increase accessibility Install e-bike lockers in Huntly to make bikes accessible 24/7, 365 days/year with online booking system Expand minibus services Increase the scope and scale of the community transport initiative to cover more of AB54

16. Car Sharing

17. BlaBla Car Experience Set Up a Profile • Photo ID Check • Contact Details Search Journey • Preferred Journey Details • Time & Route Select Preferred Option

18. The Driver

20. The Issue in Marr

21. Rural Transport Convention Feedback ‘Exploring the future of rural transport’

22. Your Community: Getting Around 1. Vision: A well connected community 2. How do we get there? 3. Potential Barriers? 4. Addressing Issues?