4 October 2001
COMMUNITY TRANSPORT GOES ONLINE
Regional Development Minister, Gregory Campbell, MP, MLA, helped to mark Community Transport Week with the launch of two new initiatives designed to improve access to rural transport across Northern Ireland.
Details of a new telephone booking number and website for Rural Community Transport Partnerships were unveiled by the Minister at a ceremony in Parliament Buildings today.
The Minister said: "It is vital that we all continue to promote and advertise what is on offer from Community Transport. The introduction of both the website and the local telephone number will play their part in this process.
"Community Transport is an important priority for my Department. Whilst these Partnerships have been in existence for only a relatively short time, I am encouraged at the progress that they have made.
"Their minibus services are playing an increasingly important role in improving transport opportunities for those who have reduced mobility, particularly the elderly and people with disabilities."
During the event, the Minister also presented certificates and prizes to finalists in the CTA's inaugural Community Transport Volunteer Reward Scheme. He praised the work of all the volunteers who gave so much time to ensure the service operated successfully in rural areas.
He said: "The success or otherwise of a Partnership so often depends on the efforts of these individuals who volunteer their services to drive, or manage the office, or do whatever else is necessary. It is timely that there is now recognition of those efforts."
NOTES TO EDITORS:
- The Local Call Telephone number 0845 650 1190 can be used anywhere within Northern Ireland to book community transport services with the caller being automatically transferred to the nearest Rural Community Transport Partnership minibus operator.
- The website www.rtfni.org is managed by the Community Transport Association and contains news, details of services and contact information for all the Rural Community Transport Partnerships.
- The Department for Regional Development through the Rural Transport Fund currently supports 16 Rural Partnerships whose operational area covers most of Northern Ireland.
- The Volunteer Reward Scheme was organised to recognise those people who have made a significant contribution to their local community through their efforts as a volunteer in community transport.