Consultation over local bus services

It has been suggested that bus routes may be under fire, with indications that a route to Dundrod and one to Carryduff via Drumbeg could be cut.

An event will be held on Wednesday March 25 in Lisburn Bus Centre from 10am until 2pm when members of the public can share their views and help to plan network changes, which are to be introduced later this year.

A public information event will also be held in Dromore Library on March 31 from 10am until 12noon.

The consultation will seek to identify what is most important to customers to help Translink best design the bus network to operate within allocated resources while protecting those routes most essential to customers.

The public are invited to provide feedback on the services they use by completing a questionnaire available at local bus stations and public amenities as well as on the Translink website at www.translink.co.uk/servicechanges.

Ciaran Rogan, Translink Marketing Executive explained: “The information we get from passengers will be very important to us; we want to continue to offer accessible and good value services where customers need them while ensuring we remain efficient and sustainable for the future.

“Over recent years, more and more people are choosing to travel by bus and train. We have remained focussed on reducing costs, enhancing value for money and providing improvements and enhancements to continue to make Translink services attractive.

“In addition to reviewing our network to address the current funding challenges, we are also looking at efficiency savings through reductions in manpower, reorganising facilities, reductions in areas of general administrative expenditure and we also recently increased our fares.

“We would very much urge our passengers to participate in this process and contribute to shaping the future of our local bus services.”

The Consumer Council is urging Lisburn consumers to respond to the Translink Ulsterbus Services Consultation to make sure their views are taken into consideration.

Scott Kennerley, Head of Transport Policy at the Consumer Council said: “Translink plans to reduce bus services in order to save money. It is vital that passengers express how they use bus services and the impact of reducing these. It is essential that anyone who uses these bus services takes part in the survey and where possible attends the public events to express their views.”

Lisburn Councillor Alexander Redpath has also encouraged local people to attend one of the events. “It’s important that local people stand up for these services or there is every chance they will be lost. Both these services meet the needs of rural communities and it is my intention to respond to the consultation recommending that they are retained.”

The deadline for responses to this consultation exercise is April 3, 2015. For further information log onto www.translink.co.uk/servicechanges or call the Translink contact centre on 9066 6630.