Public Transport - Who Are We
About the Ports and Public Transport Division
Ports and Public Transport Division is responsible for the discharge of statutory and other duties in respect of air and sea ports and public transport in Northern Ireland. The Division is responsible for Railway Safety Policy and Legislation and is also the sponsor Division for Northern Ireland's air and seaports with responsibility for policy and legislation in those areas. In contributing to the development of policy at a national level it makes sure that the regulatory framework within which ports and airports operate is kept under review.
The Division's role also includes providing financial and administrative support to help ensure the delivery of transport policy in Northern Ireland. The main activities of the Division include managing the Departments programme for public transport reform, input into the other major transport policy initiatives, Concessionary Fares scheme and Fuel Duty Rebate Policy, Air and Seaports Policy and Legislation, Transport Programme for People with Disabilities, Rural Transport Fund.
About the Public Transport Financial Services and Delivery Division
Within the Department, Public Transport Financial Services and Delivery Division is the sponsoring team for the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company (NITHC). The Division, in consultation as necessary with the relevant Departmental Accounting Officer, is the primary source of advice to the Minister on the discharge of his/her responsibilities in respect of NITHC, and the primary point of contact for NITHC in dealing with the Department.
The sponsoring team advises the Minister on:
- An appropriate framework of objectives and targets, KPIs for the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company in the light of the Department's wider strategic aims and current PSA objectives and targets;
- An appropriate budget for NITHC in the light of the Department's overall public expenditure priorities;
- How well NITHC is achieving its strategic objectives and whether it is delivering value for money.
In support of the Departmental Accounting Officer, the sponsoring team monitors NITHC's activities via information from the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company on performance, budgeting, control and risk management, including early sight of the NITHC's annual report on corporate governance.
In addition the Division administers a range of capital and revenue grants and other funding support for public transport including the Concessionary Fares scheme, the Fuel Duty Rebate scheme, Public Service Obligation revenue subsidy for NIR, the Transport Programme for People with Disabilities and the Rural Transport Fund.
Making Contact
You can find all the relevant Contact information in the contact section of this Web site. 
