Translink are to pilot a scheme which will see the addition of bus services in south Armagh.
Explaining these changes, Megan Fearon MLA, said: “I have spoken to constituents who wanted me to explore the possibility of buses on Route 42 – Crossmaglen to Newry and Route 44 – Newtownhamilton to Newry stopping at Daisy Hill Hospital. I contacted Translink on the issue and I am delighted to say that a pilot scheme has now started to accommodate this.”
This new service will apply to all buses entering and leaving Newry City with the exception of the 5.00pm Newry to Crossmaglen service and the 4.50pm Newry to Newtownhamilton service.
Ms Fearon welcomed this initiative saying: “It will make no difference to journey times for these bus services to pick up and drop off at Daisy Hill Hospital but for hospital patients and visitors it will make a huge difference to be picked up and dropped off just a short walk from the hospital entrance instead of having to walk or take a taxi from the bus depot in the centre of Newry. This move also has the potential to ease traffic around the hospital and to free up parking spaces.”
Further good news for the people of Culloville was confirmed by Translink following intervention from Ms Fearon regarding the extension of the Route 42 service to include Culloville. The new service is yet to be finalised but it is hoped that there will be three daily services from Culloville to Newry.
Ms Fearon said: “This will be a great service to the people of Culloville and the outlying areas who previously had to make their own way in to Crossmaglen to access public transport. As details are finalised I will be letting people know what the new arrangements are.”
