McCallister urges Translink punctuality

Ulster Unionist MLA for South Down, John McCallister, met with Translink chief executive Ciaran Rogan on Wednesday to discuss punctuality of rural bus services.

"Having asked the Regional Development Minister several questions in recent weeks on bus punctuality, I was glad to meet with Mr Rogan today to discuss the matter," Mr McCallister said.

"Particularly in rural areas, it is a great hindrance to reliability that buses are not required to stick to their timetables between the beginning and end of their route.

"I have received complaints from constituents about buses leaving stops along routes up to 10 minutes before their scheduled time. How can people consider taking the bus instead of their car, if they have any doubt about the bus leaving early? From time to time traffic or weather conditions will make a bus late, but there is no excuse for a bus leaving early," Mr McCallister said.

"I am pleased that Mr Rogan took the time to meet with me today, and glad that he has committed to look at this matter, to see what can be done. Preventing buses from running ahead of schedule will make the service Translink provides much more reliable, and will make it a more attractive alternative to private motoring."