AQW 2320/17-22

Mr Andrew Muir
Alliance Party
North Down

Tabled Date: 18/02/2020
Answered On Date: 04/03/2020
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure whether she has plans to introduce a measure similar to Section 22 community bus service permits in Great Britain.

Answer:

I am aware that some non-profit making bodies in Great Britain provide bus services under Section 22 Permits and that these services are open to the general public at separate fares, while Northern Ireland bus services provided under 10b Permits are closed to specific groups of passengers.

In December 2019 the High Court in London provided an important judgement in respect of community bus service permits. Officials are working with DFT officials to determine the outworkings of this judgement in consideration of my options going forward.