Rural Link Community Transport
Mission Statement:
Rural Link exists to improve the quality of life of our passengers by providing affordable and accessible transport within the Omagh District Council area.
Contact Details
| Contact Name | Diane Coyle |
| Address | 29b Gortrush Industrial Estate Great Northern Road Omagh Co. Tyrone BT78 5EJ |
| Web | www.rurallink.org |
| info@rurallink.org | |
| Telephone | 028 8224 8140 |
| Fax | 028 8224 8141 |
| Operational Area | Omagh District Council Area |
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Who is Rural Link Community Transport?
Rural Link exists to meet the transport needs of our passengers, especially those whose needs are not being met by existing public transport provision. Our primary purpose is to provide a reliable, affordable and accessible transport service for those who have difficulty accessing existing transport services. This may be due to location, a lack of public transport provision in the area or because they cannot easily access transport due to disability.
Our members include individuals and voluntary/ community groups, those with learning and physical disabilities, senior citizens, parents with young children, youth and those on low incomes.
The provision of transport is important to facilitate access to essential services and sectors including health and well-being, training and employment. In addition we consider it vital to provide transport to the social and recreational opportunities that help prevent rural isolation and alleviate social exclusion. In this way Rural Link enhances the quality of life of the passengers we serve.
We provide a range of services to meet the needs of all members throughout the Omagh District Council area. Our staff strive to best meet the needs of all passengers by providing a door to door user friendly service on our minibuses or through our Social Car Scheme.
We offer a range of volunteering opportunities for local people, including volunteer driving on the Social Car Scheme or training to become a minibus driver or passenger assistant with Rural Link.
Rural Link is an affiliated member of the Community Transport Association (CTA). It is our policy to endeavour to meet their voluntary code of practice, and ensure that Rural Link offers a high quality, professionally operated service which focuses on driver and passenger safety.
What transport services are available?
Rural Link Community Transport provides a range of service options tailored to suit individual and group travel requirements:
- For individuals there are Dial a Lift and Social Car schemes providing door to door travel, either in Rural Link minibuses or by car with vetted volunteers.
- For groups, our 14 or 16 seater minibuses are available for hire either with a Rural Link driver or with a volunteer driver. Please note that all drivers must hold a valid Midas certificate and be registered with Rural Link Community Transport.
How to access Rural Lift Community Transport services:
In order to use Rural Link you will need to register as a member. Joining Rural Link is easy – just contact the office and our staff will be happy to talk you through the registration process. Membership to Rural Link is free for individuals and £20 per annum 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.
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 pilot in operation until March 2011. Other services – for individuals and groups – are priced affordably.
Training:
Rural Lift provides a range of approved and accredited transport training programmes to member groups and individuals, including;
- Midas Driver Training
- Passenger Assistant Training
- Midas Car & MPV
- Fire Evacutaion
Other Services:
Current Volunteer Opportunities:
Rural Lift 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.
Positions currently open include;
- Committee member
- Office Administrator
- Minibus driver
- Social Car Driver
- Passenger Assistant
- Fund raisers
