AQO 1739/22-27 Oral question to the Minister for Infrastructure
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure for an update on plans to improve bus connectivity to Belvoir estate.
Asked by Paula Bradshaw MLA on 13 March 2025
- Answered
- Oral
- Answered in the Chamber
- Tabled
- 13 March 2025
- Answer due by
- 24 March 2025
- Answered
- 24 March 202511 days after tabling
- Department
- Department for Infrastructure
- Priority question
- No
Answer
Answered in the Assembly Chamber on 24 March 2025. Extract from the Official Report (Hansard), including any supplementary questions:
Ms Kimmins
I definitely have that one. The timetabling of services is primarily an operational matter for Translink. The public service agreement allows Translink to amend services, but it must do so in a cost-effective manner consistent with the required level of quality and performance and minimise costs. My Department has been operating in a difficult financial environment for a number of years due to underfunding and austerity by the British Government. That includes the funding available for the public transport network. The Belvoir estate is serviced by the 6C and 6D services, which collectively offer two buses per hour throughout the day and three during peak times. Translink monitors on an ongoing basis the passenger loadings, which indicate that the level of patronage would not support an increase in capacity at this time. Therefore, there are no immediate plans to develop frequency on the 6C and 6D routes. Translink will continue to monitor those and other Metro services for opportunities and network growth.
Ms Bradshaw
Thank you, Minister, for your answer. In taking forward plans for the north-south Glider route, is consideration being given to incorporating the Belvoir estate as an offshoot of that?
Ms Kimmins
Given that we have scope left within the extension of the Glider route, I am happy to speak to officials about that to see whether it is possible. I am not aware of it at this time, but I am happy to take that forward, and, potentially, in the next phase, we can look at that.