Down Community Transport
Mission Statement:
Down Community Transport aims to provide high quality transport services and to work in partnership to improve the quality of life for members living in our area of benefit.
Contact Details
| Contact Name | Bob Parks |
| Address | Knowledge House Down Business Centre 46 Belfast Road Downpatrick Co. Down BT30 9UP |
| Web | www.ddat.travel |
| ddat@communitytransport-ni.com | |
| Telephone | 028 4461 7900 07989 854 678 (out of hours – but not for bookings) |
| Fax | 028 4461 7971 |
| Operational Area | Down District as far south as Newcastle and the Mournes, and Ards – but not currently including North Down. |
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Who is Down Community Transport?
Down District Accessible Transport has been established since May 1998 for the purpose of improving access to goods and services for members; both individual and group; resident and active in Down District, thus promoting social inclusion, targeting social need and reducing rural isolation, in particularly for the young, elderly and infirm.
On 19th April 2000 Down District Accessible Transport was incorporated as a company limited by guarantee.
We are also recognised by HM Revenue & Customs as a charity.
At our AGM in 2004 it was decided to trade under the name of Down Community Transport (DCT), as it was felt this better described the organisations role.
At our AGM in 2007 a Special Resolution was passed amending our constitution allowing DCT to provide transport services to people in the wider community, removing the previous restrictive wording permitting a service only in the Down District area.
At our AGM in 2008 a Special Resolution was passed amending our constitution in readiness for a merger with Peninsular Community Transport (PACT) who are active in the Ards area.
In March 2009 Age Concern Network in Newcastle decided that their RCTP project, Accessible Community Travel Services (ACTS) could join with DDAT and PACT from 1st April 2009.
The company now trades under the name of Down Community Transport (DCT) from 3 local offices in Kircubbin, Downpatrick and Castlewellan.
What transport services are available?
Down Community Transport provides a range of transport service options tailored to suit individual and group travel requirements:
- For individuals there are the Dial a Lift and Social Car schemes providing door to door travel, either in DCT minibuses or by car with vetted volunteers.
- For groups, our 16 seater minibuses are available for hire either with a Down Community Transport driver or on a hire without driver. Please note that all drivers must hold a valid Midas certificate and be registered with Down Community Transport.
How to access DCT services:
In order to use Down Community Transport you will need to register as a member. Joining DCT is easy – just contact the office and our staff will be happy to talk you through the registration process. Membership to DCT is free for both individuals and for groups.
Once you have signed up as a member, simply contact the office to book your transport giving as much notice as possible. We will do our very best to have a vehicle available for you.
Offices open 09:00 – 16:30 weekdays, not open on weekends or public/bank holidays.
How much does it cost to travel?
Members with valid Smart Passes can travel for free or half fare on Dial a Lift services through the Assisted Rural Travel Scheme (ARTS) pilot in operation until March 2011. Other services – for individuals and groups – are priced affordably.
Training:
DCT provides a range of approved and accredited transport training programmes to member groups and individuals, including;
- Midas Driver Training
- Passenger Assistant Training
- Fire Evacuation (MEEP)
Other Services:
Current Volunteer Opportunities:
Down Community Transport has a rolling volunteer recruitment programme with a range of opportunities and positions within the organisation. We welcome all enquiries from individuals interested in becoming volunteers. Volunteer positions currently available include;
- Committee member
- Administration
- Minibus driver
- Social Car Driver
- Passenger Assistant
- Fund raisers
