HIGH street retailers might be feeling the pinch at the moment, but the latest survey of spending by community transport users in Devon is encouraging for local traders — with an estimated £110,762 spent last year by Holsworthy Rural Community Transport (HRCT) passengers alone.

It is estimated that more than £3.46-million was spent in local High Streets across Devon by community transport users in 2018, according to new figures from community transport operators in Devon.

More than 2,200 Ring & Ride and Shopmobility service users responded to the recent survey which asked how much they had spent on their shopping trips during the month.

The feedback from passengers revealed that they spent around £210,000 during November.

This means that the service users spent an estimated £2.52-million in Devon high streets during 2018.

Among this, HRCT had 92 responses to the survey — a 64% response rate from a total of 143 passengers for November — with a total spend of £5,938.30.

The average spend per passenger was £64.55 — this gives an estimated passenger total spend in November of £9,230.18 and an estimated passenger spend for the year of £110,762.

Martin Prentice, of HRCT, said: “It is good to hear that community transport is not only providing an essential service for those in the rural areas but is also contributing significantly to the local economy and helping to support local shops and services. We also use local companies for our vehicle maintenance and office service.”

Over the course of a year, nearly 27,000 passengers use Ring & Ride services, more than £7.46 is spent in the local economy.

Cllr Roger Croad, Devon County Council cabinet member with responsibility for community transport, said: “These figures demonstrate just how important community transport is in Devon and how it helps to support our local economy. Ring & Ride, Shopmobility and other forms of community transport ensure that people are not isolated and lonely.

“They connect rural communities with their nearest market town, helping residents to access local shops and other vital services. It can make a massive difference to the thousands of people who make use of the transport, and it must be remembered that its success is due to volunteers as well as staff.”

To find out more about community transport in Devon, if they would like to use the services or support the schemes, by going to the Traveldevon website www.traveldevon.info or call 01392 382123.