Direct bus service to Derry by Autumn
Rodney Edwards • Published 15 Feb 2012 12:42
Share this
A direct bus service between Enniskillen and Londonderry is to be piloted in September, Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy has said.
Following a meeting with representatives from Translink, the Rural Community Transport Partnerships from Fermanagh and parts of Tyrone and Mr. Kennedy's department it was agreed that the service, operated by Translink and supported from the Rural Transport Fund, would be introduced for six months.
It follows pressure from Sinn Fein MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, Phil Flanagan.
"Having pushed very hard to see the introduction of a service between Enniskillen and Derry, I am delighted that we are to see the introduction of a pilot scheme. This massive gap in our transport network has long been spoken about, but it was only when I questioned Danny Kennedy in the Assembly in November that progress was made. The need for a route from Enniskillen to Derry has well been made, particularly for those who regularly travel for hospital appointments or who make use of the City of Derry Airport," he said.
Mr. Flanagan said he was thankful that the days of people having to pay around £100 for a taxi or wait in Omagh bus station for two hours "appear to be coming to an end".
Speaking in the Assembly, Mr. Kennedy said he felt the service should include pick up facilities at towns and villages along the route.
"The reason for introducing a service as a pilot scheme, which would operate for up to six months, is that the information regarding useage would inform any decision on how to meet the demand for such a service going forward," he said.
Mr. Kennedy said the next stage is to liaise with the Western Health and Social Care Trust to determine, from the information they can provide in regard to hospital appointments scheduled when best to provide the service.
"It will also be established if certain days/times during the week can be allocated by the Trust for appointments for people from the Fermanagh area, this would facilitate better transport planning in regard to when and how often the service will operate," he said.
Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our News archives.
