11/05/2017

Council Supports Motion To Allow Taxis To Use Bus Lanes

Belfast City Council has supported a motion to allow taxis to use bus lanes for an additional six months.

A trial ended on Sunday, 07 May, which permitted taxis to use the Belfast Rapid Transit bus lanes.

The council will send an official letter of support to the Department of Infrastructure.

Sinn Féin MLA Paul Maskey said: "There have been major concerns raised by taxi drivers about the damage being caused to their industry and their livelihoods by not being able to use bus lanes.

"These concerns have intensified recently with the beginning of the phasing in of 12-hour bus lanes.

"If the Department for Infrastructure doesn't reverse their decision and extend the trial period, taxis will be out of the bus lanes next week and there is a real worry that they will be badly affected by this.

"The trial period allowing taxis into bus lanes has been positively received in west Belfast."

(CD/LM)

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