Public Voice to help steer inclusive community transport revamp in north and east London

A major new initiative aimed at transforming community transport in London has received a boost with a £386,599 grant from the Motability Foundation. The funding will support a two-year pilot led by Community Transport Waltham Forest, with a strong focus on the boroughs of Haringey, Enfield, and Hackney.  

Among the key partners shaping the project is Public Voice, who will play a pivotal role in ensuring that local residents, particularly those who are often underrepresented, are active participants in the co-design of the new transport service. The initiative responds to a growing gap in community transport provision across the capital, where many services have disappeared in recent years, leaving vulnerable groups without essential access to group travel options. 

Dan Rogers, CEO of Public Voice, highlighted the importance of community participation: “At our Connection Matters Conference in 2023, we identified the urgent need for better community transport to support wellbeing and tackle social isolation in Haringey. This Study is an opportunity to reshape how these services are developed and delivered—not just for the community, but with the community.” 

Public Voice brings its expertise in community engagement and participatory decision-making to the forefront of the project. The organisation’s model, centred on listening to lived and professional experience, will help guide the design of a more responsive and inclusive transport system that addresses local priorities across the three boroughs.