Alliance petition gets new Larne bus service

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 23rd Aug 2005

Alliance Representative for Larne Town, Elena Aceves-Cully, has welcomed Translink's comments regarding improvement of the 256 Goldline Express service from Larne to Belfast.

Elena Aceves-Cully stated, "I am delighted that Translink is putting on an additional bus service from Larne to Belfast, leaving at 7.25am, after my petitioning on the issue.

"In April, I carried out a survey on railway services from Whitehead to Larne. 86% opposed the plans to close the railway temporarily, and all 50 passengers who took part on this survey signed a petition for a fair bus substitution service during its proposed closure period.

"These passengers agreed that the express service via Ballyclare would be preferable to the proposed substitution services along the congested Shore Road.

"On the current timetable, getting from Larne to Belfast can take 1:45 minutes. How can those seeking to promote public transport justify such a huge journey time?

"With schools about to restart, there will still be difficulties with this substitution service. I would urge passengers to contact Translink with any comments they may have on the bus substitution services so as to ensure the best customer service possible during these months of disruption."

"I remain in close contact with senior Translink personnel and I will continue to fight for improved rail and bus services in the Carrickfergus and Larne areas."

ENDS