A COMMUNITY transport project in East Renfrewshire has been awarded a huge grant to help residents access healthcare services.

Community Transport East Renfrewshire (CTER) has received £25,000 from Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) to continue operating their group transport to local voluntary and community groups with a volunteer car scheme, which provides transport for patients to GP, clinic, and hospital appointments.

The funding is set to go towards vehicle running costs and staff-related costs during 2023/24.

SPT Chair Stephen Dornan said: “Community transport is the lifeblood of transport and the value it offers the communities we serve is invaluable.

“Community Transport East Renfrewshire is a crucial service in helping people from across East Renfrewshire travel to and from healthcare appointments and is a lifeline for many families.

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

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

Community transport operators aim to deliver much-needed transport to local communities and voluntary groups, particularly the elderly, disabled, and those in low income.

The services are designed to promote and support the delivery of high-quality, reliable, and accessible transport to communities across the SPT area.

Council Leader Owen O’Donnell, who represents East Renfrewshire Council on SPT’s board, said: “CTER is a beloved community transport charity in my area supporting families across the region with affordable and accessible transport services and is particularly known for helping those needing transport solutions to and from healthcare appointments.

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