Fiona Hyslop visited Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway.

Community transport and its importance to the south of Scotland were highlighted to the Cabinet Secretary for Transport on a visit to Dumfries and Galloway. 

Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway (TSDG) hosted Fiona Hyslop for a focussed discussion on the topic and its significant potential across the area. 

Joining them were colleagues from Transport Scotland and partners SWestrans, South of Scotland Enterprise, Galloway Community Transport and Borders Community Action. 

Highlights of the meeting included the need for coordinated and people-focussed models of transport, its investment potential, and the importance of transport to tackling inequity, isolation, for economic development and to the community. 

TSDG is currently the Chair of the Community Transport Strategic Development Group for Dumfries and Galloway, the partnership space that allows for collaboration and development of its wider transport models. 

Alan Webb, TSDG’s Chief Executive, said: “We have a great range of operators across Dumfries and Galloway working every day to respond to local needs, but our collective partnership has ambitions to do more, especially given the challenges facing our area. 

“We look forward to continued discussion on that potential.” 

The Cabinet Secretary’s visit was in advance of the Convention of the South of Scotland.