Gildernew hears of the benefits of rural transport schemes

Rural Development Minister, Michelle Gildernew MP, MLA has visited Boho in County Fermanagh to meet with rural dwellers benefiting from the Dial A Lift (DAL) and pilot Assisted Rural Transport Scheme (ARTS).

The initiatives, jointly supported by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and Department for Regional Development, are being delivered by sixteen Rural Community Transport Partnerships throughout the north. They are designed to allow individuals in rural areas who have limited access to transport to get to local services and facilities.

Michelle Gildernew said: “Accessible, affordable and acceptable local transport remains a key factor in overcoming problems associated with poverty, social exclusion and isolation in rural areas.

“Many rural households are beyond the reach of conventional public transport, which limits the potential for rural SmartPass holders to benefit from concessionary travel. Through working in collaboration with the Department for Regional Development and community transport operators, we are working to address this imbalance in rural areas throughout the north.

“What I have heard today demonstrates the positive impacts of the Dial A Lift and Assisted Rural Transport Schemes. Getting out and about increases independence, improves quality of life and creates opportunities for social contact which beforehand were beyond the reach of many.

“For older people, or those with a disability, these schemes are connecting individuals to community groups so allowing them to extend their social network and improve their quality of life and mental and physical wellbeing.”

Commending the work of Rural Lift and other Rural Community Transport Partnerships involved in the Scheme, the Minister continued: “Those who work and volunteer in community transport schemes are extremely committed to developing a high quality service, which ultimately benefits some of the most vulnerable members of society. Their involvement is critical to the success of these initiatives and demonstrates what can be achieved when government and the community sector work together to bring real benefits to the lives of local people.”

Notes to editors:

1. The pilot Assisted Rural Transport Scheme, launched in 2009 by Minister Gildernew and Regional Development Minister, Conor Murphy, permits SmartPass holders (over 60’s and disabled) in rural areas to avail of free or concessionary (half fare) transport via the sixteen Rural Community Transport Partnerships.
2. It was rolled out in conjunction with the DRD ‘Dial-a-Lift’ initiative. Rural Lift, covering south west Fermanagh, was one of three Rural Community Transport Partnerships (RCTPs) which took part in a pilot of the scheme, which enables RCTPs to facilitate individual unscheduled journeys in that a member can call up and arrange a journey specific to their needs.
3. In the first three months over 10,000 people benefitted from the schemes, including 2,500 ARTS users in the Rural Lift catchment area.
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