West of England Community Transport Network
There are 35+ community-run schemes providing local transport solutions for residents across the region
WERN, together with Voscur chair the West of England Community Transport Network which supports groups providing flexible and accessible community-led solutions in response to unmet local transport needs. Schemes range from fleets of mini-buses driven by employed staff to networks of volunteers driving their own cars.
A survey completed by 15 members in Bristol, Bath & North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire showed that in 2025, they:
Provided over 156,000 journeys to over 7,100 users per year.
Connected people with mostly shopping and leisure facilities, as well as primary care and hospital and medical appointments. 66% of users were aged 60+, and just over half were disabled.
Employed 118 members of staff, joined by 259 unpaid volunteers.
Please use our map to find out about these schemes and where they operate. We hope to add details of approx. 22 further community transport groups operating in North Somerset shortly.
Get in touch with Dick if you would like to know more about our support for the Community Transport Network
Dick Whittington
Rural Projects Manager
Rural community needs must be factored into transport plan for West of England region
Dick Whittington, WERN’s Rural Project Manager blogs about his experience of supporting rural community transport groups and the need for policy makers to actively involve local residents in designing solutions
Transport provision must be improved if rural residents are to benefit from NHS reform
West of England Rural Network (WERN) urges policy makers to consider the circumstances and needs of rural residents as reform of the NHS gets underway.