Minister considers transport needs for disabled

Regional Development Minister, Peter Robinson, has today confirmed his commitment to ensuring the transport needs of the disabled are fully considered, following his visit to Disability Action.

The Minister accompanied a number of disabled people on the Easyrider service, which covers North and West Belfast, to witness firsthand any difficulties in accessing transport.

The Minister said: "My Department already supports a number of specialist transport operations through its Transport Programme for People with Disabilities. I am very keen that these services succeed and that there are more opportunities for disabled people to access public and specialised transport."

He added: "The 10-year Regional Transportation Strategy, which will be shortly presented to the Assembly, seeks to address the transport needs for those with disabilities and proposes that the Transport Programme for People with Disabilities receive £8m.

"I am hopeful of a significant increase in the resources available to my Department to meet those needs and I have already sought additional resources from the Assembly to extend the Concessionary Fares Scheme on all public transport to include more groups of disabled people.

The Minister said he would also seek to accelerate the replacement of existing buses with new low floor accessible vehicles, which he said would play an important part in improving the transport opportunities for those who have mobility difficulties across Northern Ireland.

Monica Wilson, Chief Executive of Disability Action, commented: "Disabled people have a right to public transport appropriate to their needs, and we welcome the opportunity provided by the Minister’s visit to look at the issues pertinent to mainstream and specialist transport provision in Northern Ireland for disabled people."

(CL)