Location:
Pembrokeshire
Funding amount:
EAFRD (WG RC_RDP Wales) contribution
£5047.00

Project summary: 

Pembrokeshire Association of Community Transport Organisations (PACTO) identified a need to take an entirely fresh approach to community transport, since transport is such a big issue in the county, with sparse services and hidden need. 

There is little take-up for traditional care share schemes in the county, since they tend to rely on people logging their journeys online, and other people (who want to make the same journey at the same time) finding it. In a rural area with homes, work and homes widely spread and working hours varying, this does not work. 

So, the study looked at whether lift shares could be organised by people wanting a lift contacting the service and drivers who have registered with the service, who may be able to help, being texted or messaged via app, emailed or ‘phoned to ask if they can help. 

What happened:

LEADER supported PACTO to undertake a feasibility study. They spoke with and surveyed many groups and individuals, as well as venues that run a range of events, to explore the option of people requesting a lift (or registering as a driver who would receive lift requests) when they book onto a particular event or activity. 
The idea was how to destigmatise the need for lifts, by focusing initially on social activities, rather than things like medical or care appointments, and get as many people involved as possible early on.   

Lessons Learned:

The study showed that a flexible inclusive lift-sharing scheme is very much needed in Pembrokeshire and will have a number of anticipated outcomes, including: building networks and community resilience, reducing social exclusion, supporting community events, and having positive impacts on carbon emissions and fuel economy. 

PACTO were surprised at how much the venues supported the concept and recognised it would be good for business. They were also surprised that the majority of people surveyed would offer a journey if asked and how widespread and positive support for the proposed schemes was. 

Outcome:

The findings in the Feasibility Study enabled PACTO to secure £311,276 from the Big Lottery for a five year project that will build a bespoke lift-sharing platform: 'Take Me Too' and employ staff to raise awareness and promote the scheme. 

This will be unique in that other lift sharing apps work by registering the journey first, whereas the starting point here is registering a need for a lift and the system then asking selected drivers if they can help.   
 
 
 

Further project information:

Name:
Debbie Johnson (PACTO)
Telephone number:
01437 776550
Email project contact