Celebrating last year’s Easy Travel Access Fund successes as another round of funding opens
Portsmouth City Council is launching another round of the Easy Travel Access Fund offering grants of up to £5,000 to help organisations support residents who face barriers accessing bus travel.
The new funding round follows the success of last year’s scheme, which awarded £115,700 to 31 community groups, charities and organisations across Portsmouth. These projects helped people gain confidence using public transport, access essential services, and reconnect with education, employment and community activities.
Projects funded in 2025 supported a wide range of residents including:
- Independent travel training for young people, disabled residents and neurodivergent individuals
- Bus ticket support for families, carers and people accessing mental health or wellbeing services
- Confidence building travel sessions for people recovering from a stroke or living with visual impairment
- Support for vulnerable families and young people accessing education, appointments and community activities
Funded organisations included Ark Ayrton, Enable Ability, Open Sight Hampshire, Solent Mind, Home Start, Motiv8, The Harbour School, Minstead Trust, Southern Domestic Abuse Service, Portsmouth Stroke Recovery Service and others.
A full list of recipients is available on the Portsmouth City Council website.
Cllr Peter Candlish, Cabinet Member for Transport, said:
“We are proud to support these organisations through the Easy Travel Access Fund. Their projects are helping residents gain confidence, reduce isolation and access opportunities across our city. Removing barriers to public transport is essential for an inclusive, accessible and sustainable Portsmouth and getting more people on the bus helps with congestion, parking and helps to improve air quality.”
James Donougher, Project Leader at Enable Ability, added:
“Independent travel training empowers our young people with disabilities to explore their city with confidence. For many of the people who we work with, it’s the first step towards independence, whether this is travelling to and from college or meeting friends, but ultimately, accessing employment opportunities as an adult and living an independent life away from home. The Easy Travel Access Fund allows us to remove barriers, build life skills in a supportive environment, as well as giving the young people we work with the opportunities to thrive beyond the classroom.”
The next round of the Easy Travel Access Fund is now launching inviting businesses, charities, community groups and schools to apply.
Funding can support bus tickets and transport assistance, independent travel training, initiatives encouraging bus use and projects improving access to essential services via public transport.
Key dates to remember
- Applications open: 29 January 2026
- Applications close: 11 March 2026
- Funding awarded: 18 March 2026
- All funded work must be completed by: 31 March 2027
Apply here: travel.portsmouth.gov.uk/bsip-schemes/easy-travel-access-fund
