Department for Infrastructure provides reassurance on community transport services
Date published:
The Department has had a constructive meeting today with an Assembly All Party Group to discuss concerns regarding community transport services.
In recent days concerns have been expressed about the existing legislation regarding minibus driving licence and permit requirements and its impacts on service users.
During the meeting officials explained the existing legislative requirements reflected in revised guidance published by the Department recently as part of an ongoing consultation process and efforts being made to minimise the impact on those using community transport services.
Following the meeting a spokesperson for the Department said: “While the Department has a clear duty to clarify the existing law, in so doing our priority is to protect the interests of service users and work with the community transport providers to ensure the sector is in the best position it possibly can be.
“We are working actively with the Partnerships and will continue to support them through a period of transition to ensure vulnerable and isolated people can continue to access this important service. Alongside that we will be engaging with other groups providing transport to ensure they also understand the implications of the new guidance.”
The Department will be writing to minibus owners and bus passenger transport providers in the coming week to clarify the position in relation to existing legislation.
Notes to editors:
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