Regional Transport Coordination Network Funding Guidelines

The Regional Transport Coordination Network has funding available to support initiatives to improve transport service delivery. This non-recurrent funding is mainly for trial transport projects.

Target groups

Funding is available for projects that focus on transport disadvantaged groups. Transport disadvantage is defined as a circumstance or set of circumstances that leaves those who are affected by it in a situation where they have limited or no access to private transport and they have difficulty in gaining access to conventional transport systems.

This group includes people who are unable to access health, business or recreational facilities due to:

• Limited access to a car or regular public transport services (e.g. people in isolated towns, people without a licence etc.)
• Lack of mobility, or
• Socio-economic circumstances

Funds will be directed to areas of greatest need within a region. Levels of transport disadvantage will be used to prioritise the needs of various areas.

Talk to your Regional Transport Coordinators

If you have identified a gap in services to a community or for a group of people, a good place to start is to discuss the issue with your local Regional Transport Coordinator (see contact below). The Coordinators will be able to provide information if there are services already existing that may address this gap or alternatively, help with developing a funding proposal to establish a new service.

Who can apply for funding

Organisations eligible to receive funding under the scheme include non-profit community based organisations, incorporated associations, local councils, statutory agencies and holders of a current Australian Business Number (ABN). Other individuals or groups are free to propose projects either directly to the Ministry or to an eligible organisation in their region.

Types of projects funded

Funding is available for projects on a trial or seeding basis. Recurrent funding is not available through this program. In most cases, funded projects will need to demonstrate that they can become self-sustaining. Projects should, where possible, promote a coordinated approach to providing effective transport solutions by aiming to make better use of existing transport resources. Consideration will be given to projects that provide innovative, demand-responsive services that meet community need.

To achieve the above, developing partnerships with other organisations is strongly encouraged. These partnerships could be with State agencies, local councils, transport operators, community organisations and other stakeholders.

Examples of projects funded include:

• New or improved scheduled or on-demand transport services
• Establishment of discount clubs e.g. Seniors' Taxi Club
• Voucher systems to facilitate use of public transport
• Driver licence programs
• Targeted promotion of existing services

Duration of funded projects

The duration of funded projects for service provision can range from a few months up to 12 months. Projects for more than 12 months will generally not be considered, though a staged approached with definitive milestones may be considered if a longer timeframe is required.

In some cases, funding will be for the provision of a product such as transport guides. In these cases, the project will be completed when the product is produced and the applicant has completed any evaluations required by the Ministry of Transport.

When is funding available

There is no cut off point for applications to be received by the Ministry of Transport. Applicants can apply for funding at any time.

How is funding allocated

The Ministry of Transport allocates funding based on an applicant completing a funding application form. . All submissions for funding are assessed on their individual merit with the Ministry taking into account levels of transport disadvantage for the target group, use of existing transport resources and the impact of the proposal on the coordinated approach to providing effective transport solutions.

Funding is approved primarily to increase the level and range of transport provision to the target group. This is usually achieved by increasing the use of existing transport resources within the community and as such, funding the purchase of vehicles is outside the scope of this program.

How to apply for funding

In developing proposals for funding, the sponsoring organisation is asked to discuss the proposal with the local Regional Transport Coordinator who may seek feedback on the the funding application from the local Transport Working Group.

A completed Funding Application Form (152 kb Word file) is then forwarded to the Regional Transport Coordinator who will forward it on for final approval.

If the project is approved, the applicant will be informed in writing of operational and reporting requirements. Upon receipt of a tax invoice, funds will be deposited into the applicant's account by EFT.

The successful applicant will also have to provide evaluation updates as requested in their funding confirmation letter. Project evaluation is crucial to demonstrate the benefits to communities as a result of the funding being provided. Funded organisations are required to maintain records of changes resulting form transport initiatives such as:

• Patronage
• Awareness of available services
• Number of people attending a service e.g. health clinic, youth program, TAFE classes etc.
• Level of social activity people engage in
• Access to services

Contact

For more information on this program, please contact your Regional Transport Coordinator.

Metropolitan Transport Coordination Network Funding Guidelines

These Guidelines also apply to trial transport projects in the Sydney Metropolitan Area.