Northern Ireland, by its geographic and demographic make-up, boasts thriving rural communities, dependant on the socio-economic centres we know as ‘provincial market towns’.
Transport to and from these centres is vital for rural residents to live their lives to the full and meet the ever-increasing demands of modern society.
In order to meet these rural transport needs it is important to introduce initiatives which encourage the use of public transport in rural areas. This poses a key challenge to public transport providers in Northern Ireland.
What is the Rural Transport Fund?
Set up as an additional funding package in March 1998 by the Chancellor, the Rural Transport Fund (RTF) in Northern Ireland has been established to help and encourage more people to use public transport in rural areas.
Approximately £1.3 million per annum is allocated to the RTF, which is administered by the Department of Regional Development (DRD).
Translink’s Role in the RTF
Translink has developed a Rural Transport Unit to research and monitor the transport needs of rural communities. The team aims to improve the provision and increase usage of public transport, by implementing new services, innovatively promoting them to their fullest extent together with other initiatives.