NI Rural Development Minister, Michelle Gildernew has visited Boho in Co Fermanagh to meet with rural dwellers benefiting from the Dial A Lift (DAL) and pilot Assisted Rural Transport Scheme (ARTS).

The initiatives, jointly supported by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and Department for Regional Development, are being delivered by sixteen Rural Community Transport Partnerships throughout the north. They are designed to allow individuals in rural areas who have limited access to transport to get to local services and facilities.

Minister Gildernew said: "Accessible, affordable and acceptable local transport remains a key factor in overcoming problems associated with poverty, social exclusion and isolation in rural areas.

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"Many rural households are beyond the reach of conventional public transport, which limits the potential for rural SmartPass holders to benefit from concessionary travel. Through working in collaboration with the Department for Regional Development and community transport operators, we are working to address this imbalance in rural areas throughout the north.

"What I have heard today demonstrates the positive impacts of the Dial A Lift and Assisted Rural Transport Schemes. Getting out and about increases independence, improves quality of life and creates opportunities for social contact, which beforehand were beyond the reach of many.

"For older people, or those with a disability, these schemes are connecting individuals to community groups so allowing them to extend their social network and improve their quality of life and mental and physical wellbeing."

Commending the work of Rural Lift and other Rural Community Transport Partnerships involved in the Scheme, the Minister continued: "Those who work and volunteer in community transport schemes are extremely committed to developing a high quality service, which ultimately benefits some of the most vulnerable members of society.

"Their involvement is critical to the success of these initiatives and demonstrates what can be achieved when government and the community sector work together to bring real benefits to the lives of local people."

(NS/BMcC)