FERMANAGH Community Transport (FCT) has had a busy year in 2016/2017 with over 72,000 passengers trips provided for members of local communities throughout the county – and with rural services being cut, FCT is more needed than ever.
Every week, almost 1,400 trips were undertaken using a mix of fully accessible minibuses and our brilliant team of volunteer car drivers.
The demand for the service continues to increase as people in rural areas are dependent on FCT, particularly in areas such as Roslea with the recent closure of the doctor’s surgery.
Anita Flanagan, FCT manager said:
“The demand is increasing daily and the needs that people have particularly through the issues around health and getting to essential appointments. I do not want to see someone in Roslea who is unable to get to a doctor, and if they are stuck we will get them there! We run a bus three times a day from Roslea to Enniskillen, and Lisnaskea is on the way so we can get patients to their appointments – we would like to be able to help people as much as possible.”
FCT is a much needed transport service, for the most rurally isolated and remote members of Fermanagh. Volunteers are dotted throughout the County which makes the service cost effective.
Anita continued, “We are actively seeking volunteers, as around 30% of the trips are carried out by volunteers. If someone has time to spare, and has a car and would like to get out and about, they can get in touch with us.”
The service receives funding from Department for Infrastructure which is £250,000 less than in 2014-2015 yet the demand for our services is still increasing. If the cuts continues, Anita is worried that the service will suffer.
“We were cut two years, and this has not been reinstated. To date, we have been using the reserves we had to subsidise the service, so if there is further cuts then there will be have to be cuts to the service we provide. The local people will notice a difference, so I am hoping that will not happen.”
For anyone who wants to volunteer or avail of this service, contact 028 6632 4260.
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