ORGANISATIONS like Okehampton and District Community Transport Group and the Tavistock Country Bus are among the community transport groups contributing to an increased economic benefit for town centres.

According to new figures, community transport users spent more than £2.6-million in local high streets across Devon in 2013. That compares with £2.08-million in 2012.

The latest estimates are based on a survey carried out last November by the Community Transport Associations in Devon when over 5,000 ring and ride and Shopmobility service users were asked how much they had spent on their shopping trips that month.

Sue Wonnacott, co-ordinator of Okehampton and District Community Transport Group, said: 'To a small place like Okehampton, a service like ours can be very important to the local economy and shops in the town. Without our service, our clients wouldn't be able to access the shops and facilities they use any other way.

'We've done the spending survey for the last two years now and I have always been amazed by how much the pensioners using our service spend. They really do support the economy and shops in an important way.

'Our service is incredibly important to our users, because it is the only way they would be able to do their shopping. They are not able to do online shopping, and they can't access public bus services because there either isn't a service where they live, or they could not physically get aboard the bus. Our drivers help our users on board, and help them carry their shopping into their homes on the return trip.'

Manager at Tavistock Area Support Services (TASS) Andy Lyle said: 'Community transport in Tavistock continues to play a large role in supporting the businesses within the town. Each month we have seen an increase in the use of our minibuses, community cars and Shopmobility, allowing more people to come and make use of the town's facilities.'

The anonymous responses of those who took part in the survey revealed that they spent over £133,000 during November. Based on those figures, service users spent an estimated £2.68- million in the county throughout last year, which means that for every pound invested by Devon County Council on community transport, over £9 is spent in the local economy.

In 2013, more than 40,800 passengers used ring and ride buses and more than 9,700 accessed Shopmobility services. These services help people who find it hard to get around, to access their local shops and facilities.  

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highway Management, said: 'These figures highlight just how important community transport is in Devon and how it helps to support the local economy. Ring & Ride, Shopmobility and other forms of community transport ensure that people are not cut off.

'They connect rural communities with their nearest market or coastal town, helping residents access local shops and other vital services. It can make a massive difference to the thousands of people who make use of the transport and it must be remembered that its success is due to volunteers as well as staff.'

To find out more about community transport in Devon, to use the services or support the schemes, go to the Transport for Your Community website, http://www.tfyc.org.uk">www.tfyc.org.uk or call 01392 382123.