“Connected with family, friends, and the wider community.”

Last week, DART was pleased to join the Community Transport Association and fellow rural transport providers in meeting with Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins to discuss the growing impact of community transport services across Northern Ireland.

The meeting highlighted the positive difference increased Department for Infrastructure funding has made over the past year, allowing community transport organisations to deliver more journeys, respond to growing demand, and provide greater flexibility for passengers who rely on these vital services every day.

During the meeting, Minister Kimmins spoke about the importance of community transport in supporting some of the most vulnerable and isolated members of society, particularly those living in rural areas.

The Minister said:

“A significant proportion of these journeys are for older people and that can have such an impact on someone’s life by helping to give them back their independence and keeping them connected with family, friends, and the wider community.”

These words reflect exactly what we witness daily at DART.

For many passengers, community transport is much more than simply travelling from one place to another. It provides independence, routine, social connection, and access to essential services that many people may otherwise struggle to reach.

Whether it is attending medical appointments, collecting shopping, accessing education and training, or simply meeting friends for a coffee, these journeys play a vital role in supporting wellbeing and reducing social isolation.

The additional support provided to the sector over the past year has enabled organisations like DART to continue responding to increasing local demand while ensuring passengers can travel safely, reliably, and with dignity.

At DART, we remain committed to keeping our communities connected and ensuring that transport remains accessible for everyone who needs it most.

We welcome the Minister’s continued commitment to putting people at the heart of transport services and recognising the essential role community transport plays in rural life.

As demand continues to grow, we will continue working alongside our partners, passengers, drivers, volunteers, and local communities to ensure these services remain available for the people who depend on them every day.

#CommunityTransport #RuralCommunities #Accessibility #Independence #SocialInclusion #DART