Antrim Coaster Bus to return

The service was withdrawn this winter due to “unsustainable passenger numbers together with reduced funding now available through the Government’s Rural Transport Fund due to the increasing financial pressures across all departments,” said Translink’s Northern Area Manager Arthur Hamilton.

In a letter to Moyle Council, Mr Hamilton said that the withdrawal decision was not taken without much consideration.

He added: “We very much recognise the social value of the Ulsterbus Goldline 252 - Antrim Coaster Service - to the local community and its role in tourism.

“With this in mind we have made service adjustments to local Ulsterbus services in order to accommodate users including tourists who still wish to travel on the coastal route.”

He said Translink published a new brochure, ‘Welcome to the North Coast by Bus’, which clearly sets out the services and times of buses following the coastal route.

He said the brochure, which also includes information on tourist attractions, has been distributed to the main bus and rail stations, Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau and Tourist Information Centres in order to generate awareness and encourage members of the public to use the service and “get out and enjoy the main attractions of the area”.

Mr Hamilton said details are also on the translink website - www.translink.co.uk.

He said he would welcome any support of help the Council could offer to promote the new North Coast brochure.