MLA welcomes ‘common sense approach’ to community transport

EAST Antrim MLA Stewart Dickson has welcomed changes to the Department for Regional Development’s ‘Door-2-Door’ scheme that will see boundaries treated flexibly to enhance service quality.

Door-2-Door Transport is a local urban transport service provided for people with disabilities, or for those who find it difficult using mainstream public transport.

Mr Dickson held a meeting with DRD officials recently to discuss the scheme, during which he emphasised the importance of taking a common sense approach to service provision.

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The Alliance Party representative said that the DRD has agreed to apply “a flexible approach” to the service boundaries.

“I highlighted the need to be responsive to suggestions from service users and to logically assess each boundary. For example, the Carrickfergus/Newtownabbey boundary ends only a few hundred yards short of the ASDA store in North Belfast, leaving it inaccessible to users.

“However, the DRD have now agreed to extend this boundary to include the ASDA store. This is very encouraging and demonstrates what can be achieved by positive engagement between government agencies, elected representatives and residents,” he explained.

“Input from local residents is absolutely vital and I encourage users of the Door-2-Door scheme to contact me if they have suggestions for service improvement.”

Mr Dickson’s office at West Street, Carrickfergus can be contacted by telephoning 9335 0286.