Minister Kimmins Backs Increased Funding for Community Transport

We are pleased to share some positive news for the future of community transport in Northern Ireland.

Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has announced her intention to increase funding for community transport services, recognising the essential role they play in supporting individuals and communities – especially in rural and hard-to-reach areas.

While final decisions on the Department for Infrastructure’s 2025–26 budget are still subject to the outcome of an equality consultation, Minister Kimmins has made it clear that protecting community transport is a top priority.

Speaking on the matter, 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.”

She went on to describe community transport as a "valuable lifeline" and reaffirmed her commitment to keeping people at the heart of government decision-making:

“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.”

The Minister also acknowledged the increasing challenges faced by the sector, including rising employment and operational costs. In response, she stated:

“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.”

At Newry and Mourne Community Transport, we warmly welcome this announcement. It’s definitely a step in the right direction and truly uplifting to see such positive change.

This increase in funding allows us to return to the level of service we previously offered – a level that we believe should be the standard for community transport. While this brings us back to where we need to be, it's clear that Minister Kimmins has done an incredible job highlighting just how vital community transport is for people across Northern Ireland.

We’re hopeful that this is just the beginning, and that further steps will be taken to improve funding even more, so that we can continue expanding our reach and helping even more people in our community live connected, independent lives.

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