Public Transport Set To Grind To A Halt

Commuters will be faced with a stark choice next week with no buses or trains operating across Northern Ireland next Wednesday.

As part of the public sector strike, Translink has confirmed there would be no public transport on 30 November.

Already, the NI Transport Minister Danny Kennedy has briefed colleagues at yesterday's Stormont Executive meeting on the impact of strike action on transport services.

He said that as industrial and non-industrial many staff in the public sector are planning strike action from midnight on Tuesday 29 November to midnight on Wednesday, 30 November this would impact on Translink's bus and rail services.

The Minister said: "Translink has had to take the operational decision that they will not be in a position to run scheduled bus and rail services on 30 November because of industrial action.

"I am very disappointed things have come to this, and I regret the impact it will have on passengers.

"At least Translink's announcement will remove any uncertainty for travellers and it will enable bus and rail services to resume to the normal timetable following the strike.

"In light of this, my Department has contacted the PSNI and they have confirmed they will not enforce bus lanes, apart from those on motorway hard shoulders, on 30 November.

"This will assist traffic flow through towns and cities by allowing motorists to use bus lanes," he said.

"Roads Service's park and ride sites will also remain open for car share users but they will not be served by buses.

"I would encourage travellers to plan their journey in advance and car share, walk or cycle where possible," he said.

Soon afterwards, the Translink Marketing Executive Ciaran Rogan said the company apologised in advance for the disruption: "We are disappointed and regret the impact this will have on our customers but unfortunately this is beyond our control and we must be guided by passenger safety first and foremost."

He added that the Enterprise train service from Dublin will stop at Dundalk and will not operate in Northern Ireland on the strike day.

Meanwhile, Translink is awaiting information from the Education and Library Boards to learn their needs for the day and will discuss options for school transport.

(BMcC/GK)