Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has announced her intention to increase funding for community transport services in Northern Ireland for the 2025-26 financial year. The final decisions on the Department's budget will be confirmed following an equality consultation, but Minister Kimmins has expressed a clear commitment to protecting what she describes as a "valuable transport service."

Speaking about the importance of these services, 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." She further emphasised their wider benefits, stating they "improve access to goods and services, facilitate independence and vital connections and also they allow people to contribute to local communities and economies."

Minister Kimmins stressed that community transport is a "valuable life-line for many in local communities." She added: "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."

Acknowledging the financial pressures faced by operators, the Minister said: "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."