EAST Derry MLA and Environment Spokesperson John Dallat has said that the lack of money going into public transport is in serious danger of repeating mistakes of the past when trains were unreliable and buses were clapped out by old age. Mr Dallat said: “Over the last 20 years the railway system has been virtually rebuilt and new train sets to replace old rolling stock.
“The result has been a massive increase in public usage. This is surely evidence that when we invest in public transport people will respond positively.
“That is what happened when the Derry-Railway was modernised but money does not exist now to develop the next phase which is to create a direct link with Dublin and the remainder of the Irish rail network .
“But this cannot happen without the reopening the Knockmore/Antrim line which is currently mothballed and with Translink reserves being eroded due to underfunding that is highly unlikely without an assembly to make policy decisions.
“I welcome plans for a new railway station at Portrush and look forward to engaging with Translink to ensure the £5.5 million investment has the desired effect and creates a new revenue stream for the resort.
“That would be fantastic and will, I believe be the catalyst which will attract further investment.
“In relation to investment in road transport we learn that the average age of buses has rising rapidly because old buses are not being replaced due to lack of funding and erosion of reserves.
“Expenditure per capita on public transport in Northern Ireland falls far behind England, Scotland and Wales.
“If this is not corrected by the Assembly that is prepared to meet and represent people, then, according to Translink there will be a withdrawal of lower used services in towns and in the rural community.
“This will have a serious impact on people whose main mode of travel is public transport, i.e. young people, elderly, disabled and people on low incomes.
“Clear policy decisions have to be made in relation to spending on public transport if social inclusion is to be meaningful, if people are to have access to health and education and if we are serious about congestion and improving air pollution.
“That is only possible if we have a return to the Assembly and both governments need to be to the forefront of ensuring that happens.
“Talk of Direct Rule will only deliver more failures,” added Mr Dallat.
