At DART Partnership, every journey we make is powered not just by our minibuses, but by the voices of the people we serve. Community transport encompasses so much more than travelling. It is about connection, independence, dignity and belonging. Your Words, Our Direction Over the years, members of our community have shared stories about how DART’s services have helped them, whether it’s a trusted lift to a medical appointment, a minibus trip to meet friends, or affordable tra

🌷 Day Trip Ideas for DATS Members! As Easter approaches, we’re looking forward to planning some lovely spring day trips for our DATS Members 🌼 days out that are relaxed, social, and designed to be enjoyed together. From garden centres and town visits to Easter events, cafés and trips, DATS outings are about connection, shared moments and enjoying the journey as much as the destination. 💬 Got an idea? If there’s somewhere you’d love to go this Easter or an event or activity

We’re proud to share some exciting news — DART has been invited to be nominated for Community Transport Organisation of the Year (6+ Vehicles), an award proudly sponsored by PHVC. This award celebrates larger community transport organisations that deliver high-quality, accessible and inclusive transport services at scale, while staying deeply rooted in the communities they serve. That balance, growth and genuine community care is something we work hard to achieve every single

For Eleanor, travelling to hospital appointments has never been straightforward. A serious accident earlier in her life changed everything, leaving her with a traumatic brain injury and the loss of one leg. While Eleanor continues to face life with remarkable strength and determination, the long-term impact of her injuries means that travel, particularly long-distance journeys, can be both physically demanding and emotionally overwhelming. Eleanor requires specialist medical

Community transport is often spoken about in terms of journeys, timetables and destinations. But for us at DART, and for the people we serve across the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon council area and further afield. It is about so much more than getting from A to B. It is about connection, dignity, independence and belonging. Every day, our drivers, passenger assistants and office staff speak to people whose lives are shaped by the availability of reliable, friendly communit

Every day across our rural communities, people miss vital appointments not because they don’t want to go, but because they simply can’t get there. At Down Armagh Rural Transport (DART) Partnership, our Volunteer Social Car Drivers play a quiet but life-changing role. By using their own car and giving as little or as much time as they wish, volunteers help people in our communities attend medical appointments, therapy sessions, and essential services, journeys that many of us

As we look back on 2025, it’s impossible not to feel proud of everything we achieved together at DART. It has truly been a year defined by connection, compassion, and community, and we couldn’t have done it without our incredible service users, staff, volunteers, and partners. Throughout the year, we continued to work across our amazing community, supporting our service users to get out and about and enjoy their independence. From everyday shopping trips to special days away,

Recently, we had the pleasure of delivering Passenger Assistance Training (PATS) to several of our LCP groups. This training forms a vital part of ensuring that the transport services supporting our communities, particularly those used by older people, individuals with disabilities, and other vulnerable passengers; are safe, inclusive, and delivered with confidence and care. PATS provides practical, hands-on training for anyone involved in transporting passengers in minibuses

Last week we celebrated Community Transport Week, a special time to shine a light on the positive impact Community Transport has on people’s lives. It’s a chance to recognise the drivers, coordinators and volunteers who go the extra mile every day and to reflect on how these services help individuals stay connected, independent and part of their community. As part of our celebrations, we enjoyed a lovely cuppa and chat with May Grant, one of our long-standing service users wh

This week, in celebration of Community Transport Week, we treated some of our valued members to delicious hot chocolates and sweet treats at Hotel Chocolat in Rushmere. It was our way of saying a heartfelt thank you for being part of our community and for taking the time to share their experiences with us. Over the laughter, we had meaningful conversations about what community transport means to them, how it impacts their lives, and what improvements they’d love to see in the

We’re excited to announce that our free D1 Minibus Driver Training course officially commenced today! This programme offers an incredible...

Last week, DART had the pleasure of attending an information session with the Richmount Rural Community members. It was a fantastic...

Sometimes the most important journeys aren’t about getting from A to B, they’re about being present for life’s special moments. That’s...

This year’s Community Transport Week theme is “More Than a Minibus.” It’s a theme that couldn’t be closer to our hearts here at DART....

The winning photo!!! We’re excited to announce the winner of our Summer Photography Competition – and the winner is Phil! 🎉 Phil...

Looking for reliable transport for your community outing, club trip, school event, or group day out? At DART, we’ve got the perfect...

This summer we invited our drivers to take part in a fun photo competition, capturing their best summer moments on the road, out in the...

DART recently organised a wonderful day trip to the Ulster American Folk Park, and what a day it turned out to be! Our members enjoyed...

We recently had a training session with TrainIT and it was nothing short of fantastic! A massive thank you to Patricia for her patience,...

Last night, the DART team swapped the minibus seats for bowling lanes as we headed to Airtastic Craigavon for a well deserved team...