Infrastructure Minister has said she intends to
increase funding to protect community transport services.
Final decisions on the Department's 2025-26 budget will be
confirmed following consideration of the response to the equality
consultation, but Minister Kimmins is clear on the need to
protect this valuable transport service.
Minister Kimmins said: “I have met with representatives of the
community transport sector, heard from users about the real
impact these services can have on individuals, not just in our
towns and cities but also on the roads less travelled. They
improve access to goods and services, facilitate independence and
vital connections and also they allow people to contribute to
local communities and economies.
“The community transport service is a valuable life-line for many
in local communities. Since becoming Minister, I have focused on
ensuring that people are at the heart of everything we do and I
will continue to put the resources in place to allow my
department to deliver the quality of services that everyone
deserves.
“I acknowledge that employment and other costs across the sector
have risen significantly over the last couple of years. To
mitigate against these increases and to protect these vital
services, I intend to increase the level of funding available to
the community transport operators, that will enable them to
deliver these vital services in 2025/26.”
