Calls to bring back buses five years after attacks

A delegation with MLA John O’Dowd, Cllrs Fergal Lennon and Máire Cairns met Translink over the continued their refusal of Translink to reinstate evening bus services to Ardowen, Drumbeg and Meadowbrook.

The bus services were withdrawn five years ago. Cllr Lennon said an entire community is being punished for the actions of a few.

“We told Translink that many in the community believe they are being subjected to unfair discrimination and we were not aware of any other community which had suffered bus services being withdrawn for five years after such attacks.”

“We left Translink management in no doubt that the continued punishment of the community in, Ardowen, Meadowbrook and Drumbeg for the actions of the few was totally unacceptable and must be brought to an end. We further stated that we are not interested in a public relations exercise on their behalf and more talks about talks, we wanted action.

Cllr Lennon said: “Translink committed to come back to us before Christmas with a definitive response to the community demand that services are reinstated. Only a positive response will be acceptable to us and the community.”

A Translink spokesperson said: “We are currently reviewing the possibility of reinstating evening Ulsterbus services into Ardowen, Drumbeg and Meadowbrook.

“The safety and wellbeing of our employees and passengers is our main priority and we will be working closely with the local community to ensure services can operate without threat in these areas.”