Communities across the West of England are being invited to turn their ideas for new, local, not-for-profit buses into reality.
Metro Mayor Dan Norris on a WESTlocal service in Paulton | Photo © WECA
WESTlocal gives communities the chance to design and run new transport services in their area.
The West of England Combined Authority (WECA), has said that in order to run WESTlocal services from September, groups need to get their applications in by the end of May.
Groups are encouraged to join a webinar organised by WECA on Tuesday 7th May (6.30pm to 8pm) to find out more.
Transport experts and bus operators will be on hand along with communities already running WESTlocal services, who will give the lowdown on their experience.
The first WESTlocal services started in April, one designed by a community interest group (Chew Valley) and the other by a parish council (Paulton) and have already welcomed hundreds of happy passengers.
Metro Mayor Dan Norris is urging more communities including schools, faith groups, town and parish councils, and others, to get applying.
Proposed WESTlocal schemes must serve residents based in the West of England.
The key criteria for funding are that any scheme is genuinely locally designed and is a new idea, rather than sustaining services that are already in place.
Mr Norris said: “You know your communities best. That’s why I am so keen to hear your ideas. This is people-powered transport in action.
“I urge more communities to come forward and see if you can bring a WESTlocal to your area.”
The £2 million scheme is being funded by WECA using money secured from the government through the Bus Service Improvement Plan.
