Translink to axe evening bus service on town routes

The change to the poorly used evening service will be implemented from July 1.

In order to address the financial pressures in the year ahead due to the challenging economic climate, the company says it has been reviewing local bus services to ensure they continue to operate as efficiently as possible.

Martin Lundy, Service Delivery Manager for Ulsterbus, said: “In order to make the best use of the resources we have available, we have had to make some changes.

“As such we have been examining the poorest performing parts of our network and where appropriate enhancing other parts which are performing well or have the potential to sustain and grow passenger numbers.

“We have been monitoring usage of evening Ballymena town services for some time and unfortunately passenger numbers continue to be low. As a result the last service will now operate at 17.30.

“Service changes like these are always a last resort, however we must continue to operate sustainably and ensure we continue to provide attractive travel options that are good value for both the passenger and the tax payer,” said Martin.

“We will continue to monitor the market and where there is sustainable demand we will review the level of service provided”, he concluded.

A special summer Ulsterbus timetable will also be operated during July and August.

Timetables will be available from local Bus Stations from next week or passengers can call the contact centre on 028 90 66 66 30.