Dumfries and Galloway launches £526,000 transport plan to aid employment access
Funding targets travel barriers for low-income families.
Low-income families in Dumfries and Galloway will soon benefit from a £526,000 investment aimed at overcoming travel barriers to jobs, training, and healthcare.
Funded by Transport Scotland, the initiative will be managed by the South West of Scotland Transport Partnership (SWestrans) and encompass measures such as community transport pilots, e-bike promotion, and travel advice services.
Nine new transport hubs are scheduled to open in spring 2027, with one pilot testing a larger vehicle for the Moffat to Dumfries minibus route. However, the funding is limited to the current financial year, ending 31st March 2027, prompting a push for year-on-year support from the Scottish Government.
At a recent meeting, Swestrans interim lead officer Simon Bradbury outlined the focus on long-term infrastructure changes rather than short-term fixes. He highlighted the absence of future funding commitments beyond this financial year.
The need for improved transport is reflected in survey findings, where 91 percent of respondents cited travel limitations affecting their job options, and 77 percent mentioned costs as a deterrent to employment.
Efforts to address transport issues quickly include a live survey of the bus network and potential small adjustments with operators, as described by Bradbury.
Amidst calls for clarity around concrete proposals, a fund managed by the Local Employability Partnership is already providing driving lessons.
Some stakeholders expressed concerns about the project's sustainability and the consequences of unsupported employment models post-funding. Vice-chair Karen Jackson noted the frustration with mid-financial-year decision making.