Bus attacks may lead Translink to suspend services

Bus attacks may lead Translink to suspend services

14 September 2016

BUS services could be withdrawn from two of Downpatrick’s biggest public sector housing estates.

Ulsterbus drivers who provide services to the Flying Horse and Model Farm estates have warned they will refuse to go into the area if trouble — which resulted in a bus window being smashed last week — does not end.

Drivers, concerned for their safety and that of their passengers, have notified managers at Translink’s Market Street depot about how they feel taking vehicles into the estates which straddle the Killough Road.

They have made it clear if trouble which has blighted this part of the town over recent years and included attacks on cars, people’s homes and a set of traffic lights being set on fire continues, they will not take buses into the area.

Councillor Naomi Bailie described the recent attack on the passenger bus as an “alarming development” and warned drivers’ lives are being put at risk by what she labelled “reckless thugs.”

She continued: “This situation has being going on for far too long. I have asked for an urgent meeting this week with the PSNI and Translink managers to try to resolve the impending threat of losing bus services in this area. 

“I believe policing at this part of Downpatrick must also improve and that nowhere else in the country would this type of behaviour continually happen week after week. Those responsible need to be arrested and prosecuted.”

Councillor Bailie said while police officers have informed her they know who is responsible for trouble at this part of Downpatrick, they require evidence to bring about prosecutions. She believes more needs to be done to secure the evidence required.

“I hope we can come to an arrangement with Translink to ensure bus services in this part of Downpatrick do not cease. This would be very disappointing and only hinder those already isolated from many services. 

“The good people in this area deserve better and I hope that the actions of a few thugs won’t result in them being severely put out with no access to public transport.”

A Translink spokeswoman said Ulsterbus services operating through the Model Farm area were attacked by youths throwing missiles on two separate occasions on Thursday of last week and confirmed the organisation is currently working with community representatives to “resolve this issue.”

She added: “We take incidents of this nature very seriously and operate a cash reward scheme offering up to £1,000 to any member of the public who is prepared to give evidence in court, resulting in a conviction, to encourage people to report incidents of vandalism to the company.”