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24/01/2018
Public Transport Under Threat In Rural Communities
Rural communities across Northern Ireland Ireland may lose their bus services as Translink said it can no longer afford to run them.
The firm said it has been drawing from its own reserves to keep the services running at a cost of £13 million per year.
Sinn Féin's Oliver McMullan called on the firm to reconsider its plans and maintain the public transport lifeline for rural communities.
He said: "People attending medical appointments, those travelling to their jobs or to seek work and young people travelling to schools all depend on public transport.
"Public transport also helps tackle rural isolation which can have a hugely negative impact on people's mental health.
"Instead of reducing public transport in rural areas, we could be doing with more frequent services."
Green Party Leader Steven Agnew said: "If Translink can't provide these vital lifelines, then it brings into question its very existence.
"The purpose of Translink is to serve the whole community and it is incumbent upon the Department to make sure it is equipped to do so.
"Less than fifth of the transport budget has historically been spent on public transport and it is time for the Department for Infrastructure to take a long hard look at its priorities and allocate the money that is needed, instead of leaving rural communities high and dry."
(CD/LM)
The firm said it has been drawing from its own reserves to keep the services running at a cost of £13 million per year.
Sinn Féin's Oliver McMullan called on the firm to reconsider its plans and maintain the public transport lifeline for rural communities.
He said: "People attending medical appointments, those travelling to their jobs or to seek work and young people travelling to schools all depend on public transport.
"Public transport also helps tackle rural isolation which can have a hugely negative impact on people's mental health.
"Instead of reducing public transport in rural areas, we could be doing with more frequent services."
Green Party Leader Steven Agnew said: "If Translink can't provide these vital lifelines, then it brings into question its very existence.
"The purpose of Translink is to serve the whole community and it is incumbent upon the Department to make sure it is equipped to do so.
"Less than fifth of the transport budget has historically been spent on public transport and it is time for the Department for Infrastructure to take a long hard look at its priorities and allocate the money that is needed, instead of leaving rural communities high and dry."
(CD/LM)
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