AN EAST Ayrshire community group has received a much-needed cash boost from transport bosses.

Coalfield Community Transport (CCT) will receive £82,291 grant funding from the Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) to continue its work across the region.

The grant funding will help with the group’s 2023/2024 running costs including driver costs, training costs, vehicle insurance, vehicle maintenance and fuel, to allow them to continue providing their services.

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CCT provides accessible, affordable transport for socially or economically disadvantaged groups, voluntary groups and third sector organisations in East Ayrshire.

The initiative was launched in May 2002 to provide affordable and accessible transport solutions for community and voluntary groups and individuals living in the Coalfield Area of East Ayrshire.

The funding is part of £1.3m grant investment programme from SPT into community transport operations across the West of Scotland.

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William Lennox, SPT board member and a councillor for the Ballochmyle ward on East Ayrshire Council, said: “Coalfield Community Transport is a beloved community transport charity in my area supporting families across the region with affordable and accessible transport services.

“Transport operators are facing unprecedented challenges in the next few years so this grant funding will be critical in safeguarding the incredible work CCT do each and every day.”

SPT chair Stephen Dornan added: “Community transport groups have a vital role to play in helping connect our communities, and SPT is delighted to support their important role through this grant funding.

“Coalfield Community Transport is over two decades old, and it is a crucial service in helping people from across East Ayrshire travel around the area and its work with disadvantaged groups in particular is a vital service.

“We are delighted to support the programme with grant funding, and we hope to see the organisation continue to serve the people of East Ayrshire for years to come."