MLA welcomes new Translink rail timetables

EAST Antrim MLA and Alliance Party Regional Development spokesperson Stewart Dickson has welcomed the announcement of new train timetables by Translink.

Having campaigned consistently for better train services, Mr Dickson said he was ‘delighted’ to see that the timetables contain improvements in many areas, including his own constituency of East Antrim.

“Translink’s new timetables are to be welcomed as they include improvements that should lead to better, more efficient services,” Mr Dickson said. “I am delighted that all trains on the Larne railway line will now travel the whole way through to Great Victoria Street, so users will no longer have to change trains at Belfast Central Station.

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“There are some cuts to services between Larne and Whitehead, but these are not as deep as had first been anticipated, no doubt due to the tireless efforts of the Larne Line Passenger Group, of which I have been particularly supportive. Moreover, additional services are to be added between Carrickfergus and Belfast, which is a good response to public demand,” he added.

“It is vitally important that we keep making improvements to our public transport system, to help bring about a modal shift away from our dependence on the private car.

“It is my understanding that the new train drivers’ contracts, which will facilitate these new timetables, are yet to be finalised; I hope that Translink will be robust in pursuing the best deal for our public expenditure.”