AQW 6081/17-22

Mr Andrew Muir
Alliance Party
North Down

Tabled Date: 18/08/2020
Answered On Date: 03/09/2020
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure whether sufficient capacity exists within Translink’s network to accommodate schools restarting in line with public health guidelines.

Answer:

I fully recognise the impact COVID-19 has had on our children’s education. While home to school transport, including guidance, is the responsibility of the Minister of Education I am grateful for the work that has been undertaken by my officials, Translink and the Education Authority in respect of planning our transport needs for the start of the new school year. This is particularly important given that in addition to dedicated home to school services, many pupils use the main public transport network to travel to and from school.

Safety is always my top priority and work has been ongoing to introduce appropriate school transport from 1st September that aims to maximise services in order to help manage the number of pupils travelling at peak times. This will include operating extra school services and more "school only" services, to provide increased capacity as required. In addition, a number of mitigating safety measures are also being put in place such as recommending the use of face coverings, promoting good hygiene measures, encouraging parents to use alternative ways of getting to school such as walking or cycling, use of pre-paid tickets and advising that any children showing symptoms of COVID-19 should not travel to school.