Report focuses on limited rural bus service provision

A new report from the University of Ulster (UU) has revealed that Northern Ireland’s rural bus services are failing to meet the needs of most of the community.

The report, published on Wednesday 21 November, has highlighted numerous instances of inadequate provision of public transport in the province, especially in comparison to the rest of the UK.

Researchers found that over two-fifths of people in such communities have no nearby bus services and no means to reach such facilities as shops. In addition, the survey also revealed that 25 per cent of rural respondents did not drive a car, with old people, very young people and women having least access to such a mode of transport.

The finds are in stark contrast to the situation on mainland Britain, where only 12 per cent of individuals in rural areas reported a similar paucity of transport services.

Speaking about the survey, UU lecturer in Communications, Dr Liz Fawcett, commented: “There does seem to be a tendency among rural politicians to assume that everyone in their constituencies wants more by-passes built.

“These findings suggest that a considerable proportion of people in rural areas don’t drive and a significant percentage don’t have any bus service close to hand.”

Joe Byrne, SDLP Spokesperson for Regional Development, added: “This report highlights the second class nature of bus services in rural areas. Many families in rural areas on low incomes, who are dependent on public transport have become marginalized and socially excluded through the lack of proper public transport services.”

Meanwhile, Translink has announced it is to withdraw evening services in four areas of west Belfast following a spate of serious attacks on both buses and drivers. Affecting the Glencairn, Turf Lodge, Lagmore and Poleglass routes, the services will be withdrawn from Friday 23 November. Translink MD Ted Hesketh said the move was “regrettable” and that he did not wish to see the whole community suffer because of acts of vandalism by the few. However, he said that such action needed to be taken to prevent further serious injury of bus staff.

During the last three months there have been almost 100 attacks on Translink vehicles, which have seen 20 drivers assaulted – with one female driver being robbed at knifepoint - and over 850 windows smashed. (CL)