COMMUNITY TRANSPORT SELF-SUSTAINABILITY.

Peninsula Transport Assist (PTA) meets the community mobility needs of transport-disadvantaged people. It has over 75 committed volunteers, 400 active clients undertaking over 3,500 passenger trips last year. This bus would enable PTA to provide inexpensive transportation to a range of social activities for groups of PTA clients as well as community groups without the financial capacity to own a bus. PTA is an incorporated charity, it receives no Government funding, drivers and board members giving their time voluntarily. To ensure PTA viability and sustainability, the bus would be hired to private and community groups to offset its operational costs.

PTA can expand and sustain its services to thousands of transport-disadvantaged people in our local area. PTA clients can access the “out-of-home” people, places and activities that are core to their well-being (e.g. medical appointments, shopping, leisure, social and family events), directly leading to improved life satisfaction and well-being. Research shows this: reduces the risk of depression, and physical, social and cognitive decline; slows the transition to out-of-home aged care; and increases physically activity levels. These factors confer millions of dollars saving in aged care and health costs. Most importantly, PTA creates a more respectful and inclusive community for seniors.