Allister raises issue of packed out trains

With complaints about over-crowding on trains on the Ballymena to Belfast line becoming a daily occurrence, North Antrim MLA Jim Allister has sought answers from the Department for Regional Development which is responsible for transport policy.
Alan Lewis - Photopress Belfast    10/5/07
Picture by Justin Kernoghan
Former DUP MLA Jim Allister arriving at DUP Assembly member George Dawson's funeral in Randalstown today. 45 year old Mr Dawson, who died following a short illness, died at home on Monday evening. He leaves a wife and two children. The East Antrim MLA, who was also grand master of the Independent Orange Order, had been tipped as a possible future minister in a power-sharing executive.Alan Lewis - Photopress Belfast    10/5/07
Picture by Justin Kernoghan
Former DUP MLA Jim Allister arriving at DUP Assembly member George Dawson's funeral in Randalstown today. 45 year old Mr Dawson, who died following a short illness, died at home on Monday evening. He leaves a wife and two children. The East Antrim MLA, who was also grand master of the Independent Orange Order, had been tipped as a possible future minister in a power-sharing executive.
Alan Lewis - Photopress Belfast 10/5/07 Picture by Justin Kernoghan Former DUP MLA Jim Allister arriving at DUP Assembly member George Dawson's funeral in Randalstown today. 45 year old Mr Dawson, who died following a short illness, died at home on Monday evening. He leaves a wife and two children. The East Antrim MLA, who was also grand master of the Independent Orange Order, had been tipped as a possible future minister in a power-sharing executive.

He specifically asked what steps were being taken to alleviate the problem.

In a written reply, the Departmental minister, Danny Kennedy, said that Northern Ireland Railways routinely monitor passenger loadings on all services and noted that from January of this year, service frequency was increased on this service to every hour, with a half hour service to/from Belfast early morning and evening. Several services daily are operated with six carriage trains.

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The written answer to Mr. Allister’s question to the Minister continued: “NIR is now experiencing standing passengers on several services throughout the day. As passenger numbers continue to grow, NIR will deploy additional six carriage trains in place of three carriages, in line with available resources. I have already raised the issue of funding for additional train carriages with the Department of Finance and Personnel and intend to pursue this further.”