Write a commentTranslink have said that they remain committed to the Dublin to Belfast bus route following the announcement earlier this week by Bus Éireann that they are to cease the X1 Dublin to Newry/Belfast service 'indefinitely'.
The Bus Éireann statement has caused concern locally with MLA Cathal Boylan emphasising the need to build the service rather than cut it! Mr Boylan said "We need to be building on our north/south connectivity, not stripping it down. Without this service people who depend on public transport would be much more restricted in getting from the capital city to Belfast." The Newry and Armagh representative has written to Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon urging her to work with her counterpart Eamonn Ryan, to address this decision.
Bus Éireann made the decision at a board meeting this week to suspend the Dublin / Belfast service indefinitely. No cessation dates have been determined as yet, but changes are likely early next year.
Speaking to Newry.ie a Translink Spokesperson said they remain committed to maintaining services on the route. The Spokesperson said “Translink remain committed to operating this route and will work with Bus Éireann to manage the transitional period in order to maintain services for passengers along this corridor. We will communicate any changes on the timetable and work to minimise the overall impact on our passengers.
“We will be working closely with both the Department for Infrastructure and the National Transport Authority in the South to ensure continuity of services in the future and as we ‘build back responsibly’ from this pandemic”.
In a statement a Bus Éireann representative said "This measure is being taken in response to significant medium-term challenges posed by Covid19 in order to safeguard Expressway’s remaining 14 national routes and meet demand required on other city and commuter services."
The Spokespersona added "The X51 service from Galway to Limerick and the X1 service Dublin to Belfast have not been in receipt of emergency funding and services will formally cease on these routes over the next few months.The National Transport Authority is responsible for transport connectivity and will review requirements along these routes to mitigate any impact."
