HOLDING THEIR OWN..Translink says over six million passenger journeys have been made through Enniskillen in the past five years
OVER six million passengers have passed through Enniskillen Bus Station in the last five years despite Translink’s soaring price hikes of bus tickets.
Figures show that Fermanagh locals are choosing public transport over alternative methods to getting about with an average of 1.2 million passenger journeys going to and from the town’s depot.
Earlier this year Translink faced a backlash from the public after they increased bus fares by an average 4 per cent, adding an extra 50p to some journeys.
Despite last year experiencing a drop in passenger numbers, other years have shown a steady, but slow, increase in passengers.
While there were 1,245,751 passengers in 2011, there were only 1,229,620 passengers using Fermanagh Translink services last year.
To date, almost 1,250,000 passengers have passed through Enniskillen bus depot this year with thousands more predicted for the rest of the year making it the highest number in the last five years.
A spokesman for Enniskillen Bus depot said the figures reflected the public’s demand.
“These results reflect the fact that more people are choosing to use Public Transport. Translink as a whole is ‘bucking the trend’ in the UK, with passenger numbers increasing across all services. “The average increase in passenger journeys seen in Fermanagh since 2009 is very encouraging.
“2011/2012 was a challenging year for Translink, however overall passenger journeys met the government target of 77 million. Passenger journeys in the Fermanagh area saw a slight drop (just over 1%) however we are pleased that during 2013/12 these numbers increased again.
“Highlights of the past 12 months were the introduction of more park and ride spaces, free WIFI on Goldline services and the development on an online journey planner so passengers can plan their journeys easily and conveniently.”
The maximum cost of a day ticket on Ulsterbus services is £17.50 – which can take you to Belfast and back – with day tickets going throughout Fermanagh area under £5.
Asked if Translink provided adequate services for rural areas in Fermanagh, the spokesman responded:
“We provide as many rural services as possible and by integrating with school services we are able to maintain a more extensive network. We work with rural and community transport partnerships to make the best use of the resources available to us.
“We would encourage passengers to look at the public transport options available to them and to consider some of the great value services operated by Translink throughout Fermanagh.”
To read more.. Subscribe to current edition
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere