2022 Community Transport Symposium

The 2022 Community Transport Symposium took place on Tuesday 27th September 2022 from 12:00pm - 5:00pm at Claudelands Event Centre, Hamilton.

Dr Bridget Doran delivered the keynote speach on “Speaking Up: International insights on giving voice and governance to the Community Transport sector in Aotearoa”

Those that attended heard speakers from the sector, shared stories amongst each other with an aim to leave them feeling inspired and motivated, and participated in workshops that gave them the opportunity to shape the work to come. We hoped attendees would leave having reinforced great connections and saw them influence projects like the Waikato Regional Council's Community Transport Fund framework. 

"Community Transport" describes volunteer-based transport services which are operated by local people to meet local needs for transport. On 12th November 2019, the Waikato Community Transport Forum hosted its first half-day symposium with local, national, and international guests. It was a great success, with over 100 people attending including representatives from 30 different community providers across the Waikato region. More information on that event can be found here: 2019 Symposium. The 2022 Symposium grew from the seeds planted at that first symposium, seeing us through to welcoming the Community Transport Lead role that Waikato Regional Council filled in 2022, as well as crafting the criteria for the framework of the WRC Community Transport fund.

These symposiums are intended to bring together those who are involved in Community Transport in New Zealand; to provide a voice and articulate a vision for the sector's future. Lending us her expertise and voice this year, Dr Bridget Doran delivered the keynote speech on the topic “Speaking Up: International insights on giving voice and governance to the Community Transport sector in Aotearoa”. Bridget is long-time member of the Waikato Community Transport Forum. She brings her passion and a wealth of expertise as a chartered engineer and researcher with twenty years of experience in transport policy, design, community engagement, and participatory planning. 

We have seen unparalleled change to our social landscape since the last symposium. This year's event provided an opportunity to revisit how we intend to keep going and foster increased support for community transport.

This event brought together people working in the Transport, Policy, and Health Sector.