Major rural and islands transport gathering heading to Highlands
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Transport experts, policy-makers and community leaders will convene in Boat of Garten in a bid to steer Scotland's 'perilous' rural and islands to a better place.
The Scottish Rural & Islands Transport Community’s (SRITC) 5th Annual Gathering will take place later this month at the village's community hall to discuss the urgent transport challenges facing remoter regions.
The Gathering on May 10 and 11 will focus on the three key themes of innovations in rural transport, the decarbonisation of rural transport, and improving access to sustainable rural transport.
Organisers have said rural and island communities in Scotland face a number of transport challenges that are impacting their social and economic well-being.
These include:
• Limited transport options: Many rural communities in Scotland have limited access to public transport. Further cuts in scheduled bus services make it increasingly difficult for residents to access essential services such as healthcare, education, and employment.
• High transport costs: Residents in Scotland’s rural communities often have to travel long distances to access essential services, leading to higher transport costs that can be a significant burden for low-income households.
• Climate change: Rural transport is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in Scotland, and the decarbonisation of rural transport is essential for achieving Scotland’s 2045 net zero emission targets.
• Ageing population: Many rural communities in Scotland have an ageing population, and public transport services must be adapted to meet the needs of older residents who may have mobility issues.
The founder of SRITC, Jenny Milne, a long-time resident of rural Aberdeenshire, said: “We are striving to support our members to make the transition to more sustainable modes of transport.
"The Gathering 2023 offers rural communities, policy-makers, and businesses who are often disconnected and isolated from each other, the opportunity to come together for support and to build the collaborations that are badly needed to steer us through these challenging times.
"We have many of the solutions already: we just need to ensure they are being supported and implemented."
Over the two days, The Gathering will include contributions from the Scottish Government’s Transport Minister Kevin Stewart, and Patrick Harvie, Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel, and Tenants’ Rights.
Participants will also be able to partake in a range of panel discussions, and an interactive workshop designed to maximise collaboration and creative thinking.
The Gathering will close with a dinner, dance, and awards ceremony that recognises individuals who’ve gone the extra mile to improve access to affordable and sustainable transport in their community.
The event is open to anyone who wants to attend, and registration is available for both in-person and online attendance.
Those involved in organising the Gathering are determined to ensure it is as environmentally sustainable as possible, encouraging delegates to prioritise the use of public transport and active travel modes.
With the support of Stagecoach, a free electric shuttle bus service will be available to delegates throughout the conference and left-over food is being donated to a local food bank.
What is the SRITC?
The Scottish Rural & Islands Transport Community (SRITC) is a Community Interest Company (CIC) founded in 2018.
SRITC supports a community of concerned stakeholders representing organisations of all sizes who are striving to deliver a better transport future for the people who live, work, and visit Scotland’s rural and island communities.
Through facilitating the exchange of knowledge and best practices among members of our community SRITC supports the development of innovative solutions that solve long-standing rural transport challenges.
