Project Summary

Rural regions heavily rely on transportation to sustain their economic and social well-being. However, limited transport options in these areas lead to increased dependence on personal vehicles, further exacerbating the urban-rural divide. The shift towards low-carbon transportation will worsen these inequalities, with lower-income communities forced to invest in costly electric cars as the only viable alternative. A cost-effective and efficient rural car-sharing model can help address this problem. While existing models may not be suitable for rural settings, our partners have developed a solution. Our project aims to package this solution and make it accessible across the country.

Project Achievements

• The project has researched the key challenges related to transport and mobility in rural areas. • Involved over 45 hours of engagement with 15 organisations from DfT to local communities. • Has highlighted a need for alternative transport solutions in rural communities and in some deprived urban locations. • Created partnerships with communities and local authorities who wish to trail new alternative zero emission solutions yet the lack the knowledge and capacity implement.. • A new brand has been created and the compiling of the necessary data and support packages to move the concept forward.

Conclusions

This programme has been successful at validating the need for supporting communities with the knowledge, skills and systems to create community car clubs faster and more sustainably. The engagement levels and interest has surpassed expectations and further validates the interest and demand in the area for alternative transport choices in rural communities.

Next Steps

To bring the programme to commercialisation further investment is required into the technological and legal aspects of the so lution. The TRIG programme has enabled access to new partnerships and direct access to key officials within the Department for Transport. The research has led to a clear and identified need and commitment from communities and local authorities with a number of areas committed to piloting the concept in their area. We plan now to move to commercialisation by securing funding to develop the technological and legal aspects of the package an d pilot a proof of concept with project stakeholders before moving to full commercialisation.

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