COVID-19 has had a dramatic impact on us all. It has made us realise what is truly important in our lives. Family, community, and our health and wellbeing. It has also shone a spotlight on issues around climate and air quality. The lockdowns gave us a glimpse of a cleaner and less congested Northern Ireland.

Climate change remains the biggest threat we all face, and air pollution is a serious risk to personal health. So, an efficient, effective and popular integrated public transport network, will be vital to combat the climate crisis and to drive the change towards a healthier, more active and better quality of life for future generations.

This new strategy is aligned with Government policies as set out in the draft Programme for Government (PfG) including the NI Executives united aim ‘To improve the wellbeing for all of our people’.

It has been devised within the context of the Department for Infrastructure’s (DfI), Regional Development Strategy for 2035 and the Planning for the Future of Transport – Time for Change strategy and other developing transportation plans.

Our actions are benchmarked, working with Business in the Community through the CORE standard. We also closely align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals to deliver a more sustainable world by 2030 and beyond. 

So, it recognises how public transport can contribute to a better quality of living, a stronger economy, improved health and a cleaner environment.