Alliance leads demands for East Antrim new trains

1.58.00pm GMT Fri 23rd Dec 2005

Larne Alliance Party representative Elena Aceves-Cully has joined East Antrim MLA Sean Neeson are at the centre of a campaign by the newly established Larne Line Passengers Group demanding consistent use of new trains on the Larne line, and opposing any fare increases until this is achieved. They will be handing a petition with 605 signatures from rail passengers and members of the public to senior Translink officials to show the strength of feeling on the issue in East Antrim.

Mrs Aceves-Cully stated: "We are demanding the same service enjoyed by Bangor and Portadown passengers, namely the use of new trains on our line. If Larne and Carrickfergus passengers are to pay the same fares, they must have the same service.

"Translink senior officials have confirmed at a recent meeting with passengers that new trains will not be used on a regular basis on the Larne line, as they need to be used on the Bangor-Portadown and Derry lines in order to achieve 'operational efficiency' and to avoid delays. But the fact is local passengers have seen scant evidence of 'operational efficiency' recently. The current service is one delay after another, due in many cases to old trains breaking down!

"We are demanding new trains, reasonable fares, and more express services. This is the way to encourage people to give up the car and use public transport. The Alliance Party and the Larne Line Passengers Group are serious about this objective -- it is now up to Translink to prove it is serious about it too.

ENDS

NOTE TO EDITORS:

The Larne Line Passenger Group, whose first meeting is on 4 January in Carrickfergus, has been formed to lobby specifically on these issues. It can be contacted at: Larne Line Passenger Group, c/o Alliance Advice Centre, 18 North Street, CARRICKFERGUS, BT38 7AQ; (028) 9335 0286; elena.aceves-cully@allianceparty.org