AQW 28210/17-22

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 18/01/2022
Answered On Date: 31/01/2022
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure for her assessment of how the reduction in Translink services has affected (i) students commuting to and from university campuses; and (ii) commuting workers.

Answer:

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, our public transport network has flexed in line with the demand. The onset of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 is currently causing high levels of absence within Translink.

The decision to adjust timetables on the week commencing the 10th January followed guidance from the Executive to "Work from home" if possible resulting in decreased demand for services. To that end Translink reduced the public transport network to a Saturday plus timetable to allow it to maintain geographic coverage across the North. This allowed for certainty for the travelling public to know what services are running on a given day due to the resilience that the new timetable will build into the Translink network.

Whilst no assessment has been carried out on the impact on students and commuters, as noted previously, Translink was also managing staff absence within its business due to the onset of the Omicron variant. Without the amended Translink timetables, it was likely that there would have been significant cancellations across the network negatively impacting on students and commuting workers. The new timetable added resilience within the network and Translink made sure to give prior notice of changes to all its passengers on its web-site, journey planner, and social media platforms together with extensive press, radio and TV coverage asking passengers to check the web site or call Translink’s Contact Centre. This amendment to the timetable was an operational decision and was always intended to be temporary in nature.

In line with updated advice from the Executive, regular passenger services will return on Metro on 31st January and on NIR on 7th February. Ulsterbus services will also begin phasing in increased services from 7th February.