Extension of community-funded Taxibus

Jamie Brown, Woolfords resident using taxi service
Norette Ferns

A community-funded Taxibus service for Woolfords, Auchengray, Tarbrax and the surrounding area has been extended.

These communities have such limited public transport that this part of South Lanarkshire ranks in the top 5% most access deprived communities in Scotland (SIMD Index). 

Determined to improve the situation, and to create meaningful transport links to local services, the local community development trust WAT IF? (Woolfords, Auchengray and Tarbrax Improvement Foundation) stepped in and started the Taxibus service a few years ago, which has now been extended to cover travel to both West Calder and Livingston.

The WAT IF? Taxibus service started in May 2017 with the aim of providing residents with transport to West Calder at an affordable rate. Community feedback was sought at the end of 2018 and following a revision to the service to include Livingston, and a tender process, Real Radio Cars were announced as the new service provider from June 2019 onwards.

The service provides demand responsive transport from all addresses in the WAT IF? area (a 5km radius of Stallashaw Moss) into either West Calder or Livingston where they can access services, shops and onward transport links.  The service is provided through a contract with the local taxi company and runs on demand Monday to Saturday, 7am until 9.30pm.  Since the new service started on 1 June there have been 40 journeys by 19 households, with very positive feedback coming in from local residents.

The Taxibus service is paid for by WAT IF?, which is funded through community benefit agreements with local windfarms.  Full information on the service is available at www.watif.scot/taxi.