Community transport - making an impact in Greater Manchester
Welcome to the GMCTF web site.
Here, you can find out more about community transport in Greater Manchester and its impact, as well as the range of services it provides to Greater Manchester residents.
Community transport
Often referred to by its acronym – CT - community transport began over three decades ago.
CT operators are independent community-based not-for-profit organisations, controlled by the communities they serve.
They provide accessible, safe, affordable and professional transport services to local communities, often using minibuses, but also with vehicles both smaller (such as people carriers) and larger (such as coaches).
Community transport was fighting Social Exclusion in local communities over twenty years before the term entered popular parlance.
CT in Greater Manchester
Operators work away, mostly in the background, providing jobs and services for local people.
Not many people are aware of the real impact CT makes, both socially, economically and environmentally.
Key Performance Indicators and impacts improved In the financial year 2008-2009 over the previous year - the sector provided nearly 800,000 passenger trips to Greater Manchester residents in the year 2008-2009 and covered nearly three million kilometres in doing so.
- Overall turnover rose by £1,154,476 to £4,945,781– an increase of 30.45% over the previous year.
- Employment - The sector created or maintained 134 full time (over 30 hours per week) jobs – an increase of over 31% over the previous year.
- Volunteer input – The contribution of volunteers was worth in excess of £225,000.
- Training - Operators reported increased activity in training provision.
- Range of services - Group Transport remained at the same level – all members apart from one (a car scheme) provide this service. However, activity in contracted services has increased considerably.
- Group transport forms a significant element of CT activities in Greater Manchester – providing nearly 250,000 passenger trips.
More about the impact of CT in Greater Manchester
Go to The impact of CT to find out more, or download detailed reports for 2007-2008 and 2008-2009
Greater Manchester Community Transport Forum
The Greater Manchester Community Transport Forum is the umbrella association for the CT sector in Greater Manchester.
As well as promoting high standards and representing & supporting our members, we work in close partnership with GMPTE to ensure CT contributes to delivering strategic transport objectives as part of an integrated county-wide transport system.
Find out more about CT in Greater Manchester by clicking on the links at the left hand side of the page.
Find your local community transport service.
GMCTF Quality Framework
The GMCTF QualityFramework consists of a set of clear and auditable standards for GMCTF accedited members. It is the result of over two years' development work and extensive consultation with members and other stakeholders
By meeting GMCTF Quality Standards, a community transport operator provides assurance to partners, funders and the public that it is fit for purpose – safe, legal and competent.
The framework has been developed from the ground up in conjunction with operators, rather than imposed from above, and:
- Supports the development of a professional and accountable CT sector
- Reflects the good practice guidance from the Charity Commission publication ‘The Hallmarks of an Effective Charity’
- Creates a minimal extra administrative burden and not depend on any one particular software package
- Is appropriate to the legal and practical framework of the CT sector
- Will be provided at no cost to GMCTOF members
In reflection of the co-operative spirit of the CT sector, the Forum is keen to share the expertise and experience gained in developing the Quality Framework with Community Transport operators in other parts of the country.
For more information, go to the Forum's Quality Framework page