Mapping Northern Ireland: State of the Sector Report 2025

The last State of the Sector report for Northern Ireland, published by the Community Transport Association (CTA) in 2010, has now been updated with the release of the Mapping Northern Ireland State of the Sector 2025 report. This new report reflects the ongoing research into the sector's developments.

This vital research was made possible thanks to funding from Dormant Assets NI, with special thanks to The National Lottery Community Fund, who continue to support and engage with the project.

From 14-18 October 2024, communities across the UK will celebrate CTWeek24, highlighting the vital work of the Community Transport sector. Inspired by our Manifesto, this year’s theme, Celebrating Community Solutions, spotlights the impact of accessible, inclusive, and affordable transport in strengthening community bonds.

As community transport providers, you play a pivotal role in ensuring the accessibility, well-being, and inclusivity of your communities through the transport you provide but none of it can be done without proper funding. 

The National Lottery

The National Lottery is a major investor in community projects throughout Northern Ireland, providing grants ranging from £300 to over £500,000 to support organisations from small local groups to large national charities. The National Lottery offers several funding programmes, including:

What is the CTA Advice Service?

The Community Transport Association provides the UK’s only specialist advice and support service to groups and organisations delivering community-led transport in the UK.  We do this by directly providing support and information on a wide range of topics, such as permits and licencing regulations, driver training, and operations, and by connecting with and signposting to other relevant agencies.

It is our mission to support and develop accessible, inclusive, and sustainable transport solutions in Northern Ireland.

We have over 75 members delivering a diversity of transport-related activities and services. Each organisation offers a different range of transport services, including dial-a-lift, group vehicle rentals, and volunteer car schemes, showcasing their adaptability and commitment to meeting diverse community needs. These services are embedded into local communities throughout Northern Ireland.

We believe in volunteering for all, but we know times are tough for volunteers.

The cost-of-living crisis is having a major impact on recruitment and retention of unpaid drivers, with many people no longer able to afford to be part of helping to deliver the amazing work of Community Transport due to soaring motoring costs.

This’s why CTA has been leading a campaign calling for the UK Government to conduct an urgent, fair and transparent review of the Approved Mileage Allowance Payment (AMAP), which delivers a fully funded uplift.