Press Release

Committee Agrees Inquiry into Transport Structures

The Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for Regional Development today announced an Inquiry into Comprehensive Transport Delivery Structures.

Following the meeting, the Chairperson of the Committee, Jimmy Spratt MLA, said, “The Committee has been concerned for a while at the relationship between the Department and, in particular, the transport holding company and Translink.  Reform of public transport was first mooted in 2002 and, 10 years on, we still don’t seem to have a structure that is fit for purpose.  That is what this inquiry is about – finding the right structure to deliver high level services to our customers, in an efficient and effective way”

Mr Spratt concluded: “It will only be then that we can seriously think about integrating the various forms of transport in Northern Ireland, including those in the health and education sectors.  Ten years of tweaking and talking is long enough.  The Committee is taking action to ensure that the issue is addressed and solutions are found.”

The inquiry’s ‘terms of reference’, agreed at the meeting, will seek to assess whether current structures are the best suited for the efficient and effective delivery of public transport legislative and policy objectives.  They will also seek to optimise the organisational and delivery structures to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

Full details of the terms of reference and how to submit evidence can be found on the Committee website. 

Committee Membership:

Jimmy Spratt MLA (Chairperson)
Sean Lynch MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
John Dallat MLA
Stewart Dickson MLA
Alex Easton MLA
Ross Hussey MLA
Dolores Kelly MLA
Declan McAleer MLA
Ian McCrea MLA
David McNarry MLA
Cathal Ó hOisín MLA