Community Transport Week 2026 – Ciaran, Transport Manager

As Community Transport Week (Oct 12-16) celebrates the people who keep vital services moving, charity Community First has appointed a new Transport Manager to help drive forward accessible transport across Hampshire.

Fareham-based Community First runs a range of community transport services across the county, helping people of all ages stay connected, independent and involved in their communities when public transport is not an option, including those living in more rural areas. For many people, these services are an important part of maintaining their independence and staying connected.

Community First is glad to strengthen our transport services with the appointment of new Transport Manager, Ciaran Urry-Tuttiett, who recently joined the team with more than two decades of experience in transport, having worked in roles spanning driving, operational management, customer service and fleet management.

He began his career with First Bus in 2005 as a driver before progressing into operational and supervisory roles, later working in customer-facing and marketing positions with Blue Star. He also spent time with Portsmouth City Council and civil engineering company Chambers Southern.

Most recently, Ciaran spent more than two and a half years at Treloar’s, initially as a driver before becoming Transport Operations Manager, where he was responsible for managing the organisation’s fleet and supporting transport for students with physical disabilities and complex needs. He also completed his CPC transport management qualification during his time there.

For Ciaran, joining Community First is an opportunity to continue using his transport experience to make a practical difference to people in his local community.

Ciaran said: “I’ve spent more than 20 years working in public transport, so to now be doing that in my own local area and across Hampshire feels quite special.

“A lot of the work that keeps services running smoothly happens behind the scenes, but it has a big impact on passengers’ confidence. I’m looking forward to supporting the team and making sure our services continue to be safe, reliable and accessible for everyone who needs them.”

Strengthening operational processes is a key priority for Ciaran in his new role, including record keeping and vehicle maintenance.

Tim Houghton, Chief Executive of Community First, said: “We’re delighted to have Ciaran join the team. He brings a wealth of experience and, just as importantly, a real understanding of the community transport sector. His experience at Treloar’s is particularly valuable, as he has seen first-hand how the right transport and support can help people live more independently.

“We look forward to seeing how Ciaran’s expertise can help us continue improving our services for communities across our region.”

Alongside his new role, Ciaran will continue to volunteer as a radio presenter for Forest FM, where he has hosted its weekly ‘Eurovision Showcase’ programme for more than a decade.

Community First’s transport services are delivered by a team of staff and volunteers. They include Connect Transport operating in Basingstoke, Fareham, Gosport, Winchester, Havant, East Hampshire and the New Forest, Local Bus Services in Winchester & Eastleigh and Demand Responsive transport in Portsmouth and Test Valley.