Northern Ireland’s transport minister Conor Murphy, and rural development minister Michelle Gildernew, announced two new rural transport schemes this week.

New dial-a-lift services will be made available to members of rural community transport partnerships in order to provide similar facilities to those already offered in urban areas. It is hoped this will provide transport to those with limited access to local services and facilities.

The second scheme – the assisted rural transport scheme, which is supported by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development – will enable people to obtain concessionary travel when using community transport. This initiative is being launched as a pilot.

Mr Murphy said: ‘I think this is an excellent example of how ministers, departments and the community sector can work together.’