Renfrewshire residents are to benefit from more than £21,000 of transport improvements thanks to investment from Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT).

The funding has been allocated to local authorities and other delivery partners of SPT as part of the regional transport authority’s £1m grant investment this year for transport improvements across the Strathclyde area.

The projects set to receive funding will support SPT’s Regional Transport Strategy, launched last year, which aims to improve accessibility, affordability, availability and connectivity of transport across Strathclyde, as well as reducing carbon emissions and promoting active travel.

Renfrewshire Council received £9,000 of funding to support its Strengthening Opportunities for Older Adults in Renfrewshire (SOOPiR) bus project, which provides transport for older people and community groups in Renfrewshire to access activities that will improve the lives of socially isolated people who are unable to use public transport due to their limited mobility. 

Renfrewshire Community Transport also benefitted from funding and received £12,000 to help bring community buses to the area.  

Councillor David Wilson, chair of SPT’s operations committee, said: “Despite significant cuts to SPT’s funding this year, we recognise the vital contribution that community transport operators deliver to local communities and voluntary groups, particularly the elderly, disabled and those on low incomes.

"Without it, it would be much more challenging for the disadvantaged and more vulnerable groups to access goods, services and facilities within their local communities.

“Our investment programme will ensure communities, residents and businesses across East Renfrewshire can share in the benefits of improved public transport and active travel.

“We are proud to announce this funding, and look forward to working with the local authority and others to progress these projects and deliver transport improvements across the region.”