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  • Rural Transport Fund (RTF)

    Topics:
    • Public transport, 
    • Supported travel programmes

    The Rural Transport Fund (RTF) is administered by the Department and has been in existence in Northern Ireland since November 1998. The rural Dial-a-Lift (DAL) transport scheme and Community Transport Association (CTA) are funded under RTF.

    DAL is a membership only scheme for demand responsive transport services operating in rural areas offering “door to door” type transport.  The DAL service is delivered by a number of Rural Community Transport Partnerships.

    CTA offer advice and services to the community transport sector.

    Background

    The Department has the power to make grants under Part 5 of the Transport Act (Northern Ireland) 2011. This allows support through revenue and capital funding for Rural Community Transport Partnerships to provide Dial-a-Lift (DAL) services for their members.

    Aims of the Fund

    The aims of the Fund are:

    • to support transport services designed to give people in rural areas improved access to local amenities and public transport and
    • to assist in reducing their social exclusion

    The projects supported by the Fund are required to demonstrate that they fulfil some or all of the following criteria:

    • target social need by improving rural peoples access to training or employment opportunities.
    • complement the work of other agencies involved in the development of rural communities.
    • support a wide range of community-based activities and have a broad base of community support.
    • encourage volunteering activity.

    Supporting the Community Transport Association (CTA)

    The RTF also provides financial support to CTA which offers training, advice, and information to the community transport sector.

    Rural Community Transport

    There are local Rural Community Transport Partnership Providers across all parts of Northern Ireland. The DAL scheme provided by the Transport Providers is a service for people living in rural areas who are unable or find it difficult to use public transport. To use the rural services a person must become a member of their local Community Transport Partnership organisation and meet the following criteria:

    • an individual must live in a rural area, that is an area not covered by the urban Disability Action Transport Scheme (DATS).
    • have difficulty accessing everyday services due to a lack of transport.

    An individual may only be a member of one Rural Community Transport Partnership organisation.

    You can find out more about DAL at the link below:

    • Dial a Lift (DAL) (nidirect website)
    • how to contact Rural Community Transport Providers (nidirect website)

    Related content

    • Concessionary travel in Northern Ireland
    • DfI services on nidirect
    • Outcomes - Concessionary Fares Consultation
    • Transport Programme for People with Disabilities
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