Welcome to the latest newsletter from the Rural Vulnerability Service - brought to you by the Rural Services Network and the Rural England CIC in association with Calor.

The vulnerability service aims to disseminate information about three key rural issues: fuel poverty, broadband and rural transport.

Latest updates:

‘Community taxis’ to solve rural isolation

27 February 2019

A rural transport service run by self-employed drivers could help to end isolation and boost struggling villages, politicians will be told. (Sunday Times)

Council plan to reduce frequency of funded bus services

4 March 2019

Nottingham City Council is proposing to cut the frequency of two funded bus services which have been described as ‘a lifeline’ for those that use them. (Gedling Eye)

Judicial review into community transport decision

5 March 2019

A judicial review is to be carried out into the government's failure to enforce European regulations that threaten the future of community bus services. (Tavistock Today)

£4,000 campaign to bring tuk-tuk to Soham

19 February 2019

A fundraising campaign has been launched to bring a tuk-tuk to Soham to transport residents to community events and combat isolation. (Ely Standard)

Research to focus on rural transport

19 February 2019

Researchers are heading to Inverurie to explore new transport services for local-residents. (Inverurie Herald)

Dial-a-ride service faces uncertain future

23 February 2019

Cheshire East 's dial-a-ride service faces a possible cut in the council's newly-approved budget. (Nantwich News)

Community transport scheme launches ‘urgent’ appeal for volunteers

21 February 2019

A charity which helps vulnerable people get around has launched an ‘urgent’ appeal for volunteers to avoid scaling back its services. (Somerset Mercury)

'Difficult times ahead' for community transport service

14 February 2019

A volunteer service offering transport to medical and wellbeing appointments in the South Northants area is in desperate need of new recruits. (Buckingham Today)

Weekly supermarket transport service to benefit residents

25 February 2019

A weekly supermarket transport service for disabled residents is coming to Littlehampton 'in the next few weeks'. (Littlehampton Gazette)

Transport charity gears up for expansion with 120k lottery boost

15 March 2019

A transport charity offering trips out to needy people is on the road to expansion, after bagging a £120,000 National Lottery grant. (North Norfolk News)

County council restates £900k commitment to community transport

1 March 2019

Hampshire County Council has re-stated is commitment to protecting £900,000 for community transport services including Dial-a-Ride. (Andover Advertiser)

Petition to save ‘lifeline’ bus service gathers support

19 February 2019

A petition calling for a local bus to continue running has amassed hundreds of signatures since it was started last week. (Worthing Herald)

Boost for community transport and cycling in Worcestershire

14 February 2019

A £300,000 fund to help bolster community transport and improvements to pavements and cycling infrastructure have been submitted by councillors. (Worcester News)

Cornwall plans 'best integrated transport service'

14 February 2019

Cornwall aims to protect create one of the best integrated rural transport services in the country with smart ticketing. (Pirate FM)

Scheme to transform rural transport links

13 February 2019

A scheme is underway to transform transport links between Inverurie and its rural outskirts. (Press & Journal)

Plans to modernise bus services across Wales revealed

14 March 2019

Plans being looked into include being able to use just one ticket for any bus and train. (Wales Online)