The Inverness and Nairn Rural Transport Forum, (The Forum) has been formed and constituted to identify and address the transportation needs of individuals and organisations within the Inverness and Nairn areas of the Scottish Highlands, through the provision of information, advice, assistance and support. The forum employs one full time member of staff in a rural transport development role.
The Forums aim is to advance the social inclusion of all members of the rural community by enabling users, public and private sector operators, statutory authorities and agencies, voluntary groups, charities and individual members to take part in the planning, developing and monitoring of services.
In the first instance, any initiative would preferably be community led, though the Forum would then provide assistance in the form of the Community Transport Development Officer, who would guide the community group through the various stages of needs appraisal, community survey, viability, sustainability, funding and development.
Where deemed necessary or appropriate, the Forum will establish local branches to better represent the requirements of a particular group or community.
As part of its inclusion policy, the forum brings together in conference, meetings and seminars, as well as working in liason with, representatives of communities, voluntary organisations, transport operators, the Community Transport Association, local and other statutory authorities. The forum also takes out membership of such organisations that are deemed to be in the interests of, compatible with the aims of, and will further the development of the Forum.
The provision of local community transport plays a vital part in the facilitation of social inclusion, and can provide a kick start for community regeneration.
Currently the forum is working with community transport groups in Strathnairn, Nairn, Ardersier and is evaluating the results of a survey undertaken by the Forum covering the area from Beauly down to Fort Augustus. The Development Officer is also registered as a MIDAS trainer, ( MInibus Driver Awareness Scheme ) and is negotiating with other organisations to provide training, as well as providing training for community groups linked to Forum.
