Background Peninsula Community Transport Ltd (PACT) was formed in 2000 as a result of research completed in the Upper Ards Peninsula on health needs. The research highlighted that the main obstacle to services was lack of suitable transport. Through the Department for Regional Development Rural Transport Fund, PACT now operates four community minibuses that provide affordable, accessible transport for community groups, associations and individuals living on the rural Ards Peninsula. PACT now employs seven local people and continues to increase its membership numbers and deliver a variety of services to the community. Business Activity Our minibuses can be hired with a driver or on self-drive basis. Three of the four buses are fully accessible and have a lift suitable for people with limited mobility and wheelchair users. Transport is provided for people and community organisations on a not for profit basis. Core operational costs are subsidised through the Rural Transport Fund (RTF) meaning transport is more affordable for users. Individuals living on the rural Ards Peninsula that cannot access conventional modes of transport now have a local option available to them. Aims and Objectives PACT aims to:
		Provide affordable, accessible transport for community groups and individuals on the rural Ards Peninsula
		Provide the right transport for everyone within our rural area
		Work with local transport companies to meet the customers needs
		Promote integration, growth of access to services and develop community involvement for groups and individuals that are rurally isolated.
John winning NI Midas driver of the year 2004 at Downpatrick event 9 Dec 2004 John Young runner up UK final Midas driver of the Year 2004 pictured with his manager Kellie Armstrong at the Community Transport Association event held at GMEX Manchester, November 2004.
Successes so far:
		Over 300 registered individual members
		Over 70 community groups and association members
		PACT provides Minibus Driver Awareness Training (MiDAS) for groups so that they can take more ownership and self drive buses
		We have five part-time drivers who provide transport for people/groups that do not or no longer drive
		One of our drivers has been awarded the NI Minibus Driver of the Year Award 2004 by the Community Transport Association
		We successfully run 2 x 12 and 2 x 16 passenger seat community minibuses
		PACT are the first Community Transport Partnership to develop a suite of accessible information, ABiLiTY, winning the runner up prize in the NICVA/ Scope large print/Audio/ Other formats in the Communication Awards 2003.
To find out more about the work of PACT contact: Kellie Armstrong, Transport Project Manager Sheila Bailie, Company Secretary Peninsula Community Transport Ltd. (PACT) Kircubbin Community Centre 4 Church Grove Kircubbin Co. Down BT22 2SU Tel/Fax: 028 4273 9153 Email: pact@communitytransport-ni.com