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Introduction

DRD provides financial and administrative support to help ensure the delivery of transport policy in Northern Ireland.

Bus Grant

Funding of around £14m has been provided by the Department for Regional Development in 2002/03 and 2003/04 to assist Translink in the purchasing of 190 new buses and coaches.

The Department has approved further funding of £48m to Translink to purchase over 300 new buses over the period 2005/06 - 2006/07, which are now in service. In addition, funding of £48.8m has been allocated to Translink in 2007/08 for the purchase of 305 buses.  Over the period 2008/09 - 2010/11 £36.7m has been approved for the purchase of an additional 290 buses.

Bus Operator's Grant

The Division's Contracts Section administers the payment of Bus Operator's Grant, which falls into 2 areas:-

Bus Challenge

Bus Challenge is a pilot scheme to support new stage carriage bus services delivered by public and private operators with a subsidy. Following a public tender exercise 15 contracts were awarded, with 11 still currently running. The Section currently monitors their effectiveness, validates subsidy claims and arranges payment of grant;

Translink support

Translink support is provided to maintain specific Metro services, which are uneconomic to run but socially desirable. Translink provides a schedule of services/routes for approval and the Section arranges associated payments.

Fuel Duty Rebate

Fuel Duty Rebate (FDR) in Northern Ireland is paid by the Department to operators of bus services towards defraying customs or excise duty charged on eligible fuel used in operating a bus service consistent with the terms and conditions of the FDR scheme. The present rate of rebate is £0.3796 per litre.

For further information on fuel duty rebate or to apply to the scheme please please read 'Conditions of Fuel Duty Rebate'.