Fermanagh Man wins MiDAS Driver of the Year

Roland Livingstone, driver with Community Transport provider Rural Lift was awarded the prestigious Optare MiDAS Driver of the Year Cup at a gala VIP Awards Ceremony in Marine Hotel, Ballycastle. Presenting the cup was the 2005 winner, Paul Mullan of North Antrim Community Transport.

Roland secured the title after defeating 57 other competitors Northern Ireland wide. At the event also, Roland received recognition as the Fermanagh MiDAS Driver of the Year.

The competition, now in its 7th year, sponsored this year by Translink and Loughshore Autos is organised annually by the CTA to highlight and acknowledge the dedication and skill of Community Drivers across NI. MiDAS, the Minibus Driver Awareness Scheme, began in 1995 in NI as a new training initiative for drivers requiring extra skills for minibus driving, the success of the programme is now indicative of the high standard of safety and excellence of all the NI community transport drivers.

Community Transport is now an essential service to many people, who rely on the membership based Community Transport schemes to take them shopping, visiting, to training or education, as well as playing quite a big role in health.

Community Transport provides transport for people who have difficulty accessing conventional public transport. This may due to rural isolation or disability.

Community Transport meets that need by providing the right vehicle to suit each passenger.

Drivers complete specialist training such as MiDAS. This training emphasises passenger care and consideration, professionalism and quality of service.CTA NI Support & Development Officer, Kellie Armstrong, stated: “The Community Transport Association is delighted to acknowledge Roland as this year’s Midas Driver of the Year. The MiDAS scheme, which delivers minibus driver awareness training, has made a huge impact on the safety and standards of minibus driving in the transport sector. We would like to congratulate and thank every driver in the competition. They have highlighted once again the exceptional qualities and high standards of all community drivers in Northern Ireland. ”

County winners included: County Down Roy Faulkner of Lagan Valley Community Transport. County Tyrone Sean Boyle of Rural Link. County Derry Sean Doyle of Out & About. Sean Doyle shared 1st runner up position in the overall competition with Gerard Calgie of Rural Lift.