28 October 2002
Translink today announced plans to suspend a number of bus stops along the Ballysillan Road, in response to the attack and robbery of a Citybus (now Metro) driver on Tuesday afternoon. Consequently, bus stops from the Oldpark Road to Bilston Road on the Ballysillan Road will be suspended from Tuesday 29 October until further notice.
Translink District Manager Damien Bannon explained, “It is with regret that we have decided to suspend set down and collection of passengers at these bus stops, as they have become a focus for attacks on buses and drivers. The robbery and attack of one of our drivers last Tuesday is just the latest in a long line of incidents in this area. Translink feel we cannot currently service this stretch of road safely, and we are not prepared to put our drivers and passengers at risk in this way. While we recognise that this action will inevitably cause inconvenience to some passengers, we trust local bus users will appreciate that their safety – and that of drivers - is our overriding priority.”
Citybus (now Metro) passengers can utilise alternative stops on Bilston Road for city bound journeys and stops on Ballysillan Park for country bound journeys.
Mr Bannon continued, “We have been working hard with local communities to bring these attacks to an end, and I would like to voice our appreciation to residents in the Ballysillan area for their support to date. It is hoped that we can meet with interested parties shortly, and I trust that with the assistance of local community and PSNI that measures will be put in place to mitigate against any further attacks of this nature, and hence make the suspension a short term arrangement.”
Translink is also working with NIACRO and community groups in Ballysillan on a poster and leaflet campaign aimed to help parents ensure their children do not become involved in anti social behaviour. This campaign, called ‘Where is your Child Tonight?’ has already been very successful in other areas of the city, and is scheduled to be rolled out in this area shortly.
Ends
Issued by Kathryn Campbell
Public Relations Officer
Translink, telephone 028 9089 9455
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