AQW 5538/17-22

Ms Kellie Armstrong
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 07/07/2020
Answered On Date: 20/07/2020
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure (i) what date the Strangford Ferry will return to pre-COVID-19 sailing times; (ii) whether a cashless payment option on the ferry will continue; and (iii) what measures she is taking to ensure school children using the ferry from late August will be able to travel safely in line with social distancing requirements.

Answer:

The ongoing requirement to comply with Covid-19 related restrictions means that it is not yet possible to set a date for when the Strangford Lough Ferry Service will return to the pre Covid-19 timetable. I am continuing to monitor passenger demand and crew availability and intend to return to the normal timetable as soon as practicable.

Cashless payment was introduced in early 2019 and has proved successful as an efficient and effective method of payment. It will continue going forward.

The passenger capacity of the ferry is currently being reviewed, in order to maximise capacity whilst complying with Covid-19 restrictions. All ferry passengers will be required to adhere to the social distancing requirements applicable at the time.

The majority of schoolchildren on the Strangford Ferry complete the remainder of their journey by bus. On Monday 8 June I met with the Minister for Education to discuss the Education Restart Programme. Colleagues from Translink and the Education Authority are developing transport plans for the return of pupils. Consideration is being given to the potential number of pupils returning to school and mitigating factors such as staggering school opening times. My officials are in consultation with Translink so that arrangements for schoolchildren travelling on the ferry can be finalised when there is a clearer understanding of what the requirement will be.