Dedicated after-school bus service introduced by Translink for Newtownabbey pupils

Commenting on the service, a Translink spokesperson said: “Service H2D will take effect from Monday (September 14) as a dedicated school service serving students attending Hazelwood Integrated College and other schools along the route.

“The service will operate Monday-Friday during term time, operating from the Shore Road (Donegall Park Avenue) to Devenish Drive in Monkstown passing Gray’s Lane and via Church Road, Rathcoole and Doagh Road.

“It will operate at approximately 3.28pm on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays and at approximately 2.13pm on Wednesdays and Fridays.

“All existing services in the area will operate as normal.”

The move comes after a campaign was led by Rathcoole resident, Roberta Neely.

Mrs Neely, who also helped to secure a dedicated morning service in 2017 for Hazelwood pupils living in Rathcoole and Monkstown, started a Facebook page last month in a bid to highlight the lack of a dedicated return service.

Welcoming the development in a post on social media, Mrs Neely said: “I want to thank all of our Macedon councillors who stepped up and supported this and took late night emails/calls and text messages from me.

“I also wish to say thank you to North Belfast DUP MLA Paula Bradley who was the go between. I am so pleased that we have shown our strength as a community and got a temporary dedicated return bus. While I welcome the news, we want this to collect pupils on the school’s grounds.”

Last week the Times reported how Hazelwood Integrated College was evaluating the demand for additional transport provision for pupils from Monkstown and Rathcoole after the call had been made for a dedicated after-school service.

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