Town centre bus stops to be suspended from Thursday

Passengers using the town centre bus service, many of them elderly, will from Thursday no longer be able to get picked up or dropped off at Wellington Street or Broughshane Street.
By Elinor Glynn
Published 26th Aug 2015, 11:21 BST
The barriers which have been placed at the corner of Wellington Street/Ballymoney Street to facilitate the ongoing town centre Publc Realm Scheme. (Editorial Image).The barriers which have been placed at the corner of Wellington Street/Ballymoney Street to facilitate the ongoing town centre Publc Realm Scheme. (Editorial Image).
The barriers which have been placed at the corner of Wellington Street/Ballymoney Street to facilitate the ongoing town centre Publc Realm Scheme. (Editorial Image).

Translink are suspending the two main stops in the town centre from August 27 “until further notice” due to the Public Realm works, citing “circumstances beyond its control around Ballymena Town Centre”.

Now passengers will have to make their way to two alternative bus stops which have been designated by Translink - the State Cinema for those using the 324A Dunclug or 324D Carniny routes and George Street for the 324C Galgorm route - which will operate services as per the Local Timetable.

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Details about the changes are contained in flyers being distributed on buses to passengers in which Translink apologise to passengers “for any inconvenience caused”.

The scene at Ballymoney Street on Wednesday morning as Public Realm Scheme works began. Submitted Picture).The scene at Ballymoney Street on Wednesday morning as Public Realm Scheme works began. Submitted Picture).
The scene at Ballymoney Street on Wednesday morning as Public Realm Scheme works began. Submitted Picture).

One regular town centre service user who picked up a flyer told The Times: “Buses were clipping the barriers at the corners, they were finding it hard to get through so that’s probably why they’ve done this but my mother, like a lot of passengers, is elderly and I don’t know how she’ll get down to The State Cinema stop to her a bus from now on. It’s a bit far.”

Another local woman said: “My father is in his mid-80s, doesn’t drive and relies heavily on a bus dropping him off and picking him up close to the shops. He isn’t very good on his feet, so I don’t know how he’ll cope walking to the stop at the State. This will be a real blow to the many elderly people who use these services.”

Related topics:TranslinkBuses