This will allow members of the scheme to travel more easily in their local areas and will build on the Door-to-Door services already operating in 27 towns in the north.
The Minister said:“The Door-to-Door transport service, now available, is a great asset for people living in Derry and Belfast. The extension of the scheme will make a real difference to the lives of older people and people with disabilities who find it difficult to use mainstream public transport – it will give members of the Door-to-Door scheme more independence and will enable them to get out and about in their local areas."
Like the Door-to-Door services already in existence here, people will be eligible to become members of Door-to-Door transport in Belfast and Derry if they live within the operational area of the scheme, and are either in receipt of the higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance, the higher rate care component of Disability Living Allowance, or the higher rate care component of Attendance Allowance, are registered blind, or are aged 80 or more. People can also apply for membership through their doctor.
“My department is launching a campaign to raise awareness of these services and I would encourage those people who are eligible to join the scheme as soon as possible. The first trip is free, and members can use the service travel anywhere within their local area between 7.30am and 11.30pm, seven days a week. After the first trip, the charge to use the service is £1.50," said Mr Murphy.
For more information, or to apply to join Door-2-Door transport, people can contact the Department for Regional Development by telephoning 0845 9 800 800
Notes to Editors:
- Following an independent review of the Transport Programme for People with Disabilities, the department decided to extend Door-to-Door transport across Northern Ireland’s urban areas.
- Services are provided by Chambers Coach Hire Limited across 27 towns in the north. In Belfast services are provided by Disability Action and in Derry they are provided by Bridge Accessible Transport Enterprises Limited.
- If anybody thinks they might be eligible to use the service they should call the department’s membership line on 0845 9 800 800 or look out for adverts in the media.
- Media queries to: Emma Flynn Davies, Department for Regional Development, Press Office, 028 9054 0372. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Office via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
