Translink fare increases 'killing the goose that lays golden egg'

The proposed fare increases on buses and trains here is a major blow to the campaign for getting people out of cars and onto public transport, East Derry MLA John Dallat has said.

Translink has announced it is increase fares by an average 4.5 per cent from 16 February next year.

The SDLP representative said after investing millions of pounds in new buses and trains in a 'successful campaign' to encourage people to leave their cars at home, Translink were effectively ‘killing the goose that lays the golden egg.’ 

He added: 'In the last few years the Derry-Belfast train has increased passenger numbers from 400,000 to 1.2 million, a clear indication that when investment is made in public transport the public will respond positively.

'Apart from a set-back for the environment and road safety there is also the impact these fare increases will have on those struggling at the margins who don’t have the choice of private transport and rely on buses and trains for getting about.  

'The average increase of 4.5% is steep and will simply force poor people further into poverty.'

Mr Dallat concluded: 'A thorough review is needed of how Translink operates and particularly how it reaches these decisions without any form of consultation. The focus must be on the directors who are supposed to be answerable not just for success but also for failure and this is most definitely a failure.'