Transport Minister Meets Consumer Council Chiefs

Transport Minister Conor Murphy MP, MLA today met with the Consumer Council for discussions in relation to public transport.

The Minister invited the Council’s new Chairman Rick Hill and recently appointed Acting CEO Donna Magee to meet for face-to-face discussions at Department Headquarters in Belfast.

Speaking after the meeting Mr Murphy said, The Consumer Council, Translink and my Department are absolutely committed to increasing the number of people who use public transport on a regular basis.

The best way to get people out of their car and onto public transport is to ensure that we provide the best possible bus and rail services.”

Speaking about Translink proposals the Minister said, I rejected Translink’s initial proposals and instructed them to bring forward new proposals which avoided compulsory job losses and kept to a minimum any fare increases and changes to current levels of service.

However, any Translink proposal must be properly scrutinised and show that it has taken full account of the consumer’s voice, the potential impact on passengers and the commercial reality facing the company at this time.

The Consumer Council is an independent voice and the champion of consumer rights here in the North. Until we can be certain that the Consumer Council is fully content with the level of consultation on this issue any proposed increases have been deferred.

Both Translink and the Consumer Council will continue to meet throughout this week in order to bring this matter to a resolution.”

Minister Murphy added, I am totally committed to creating a modern, efficient and well managed transport system. Today, I have informed the Consumer Council that I intend to move forward with a radical reform of the entire public transport system. This reform process will begin next month.

It is crucial that the Assembly Committee, Consumer Council, the Unions and other stakeholders are part of this process. I hope to consult publicly on draft policies which will consider the governance, delivery and funding of public transport by the autumn.”

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