Assembly Committee Gets on Board with Bus Rapid Transit

The Committee for Regional Development has experienced first-hand the pioneering public transport infrastructure of Nantes, France and has travelled on the city’s bus rapid transit system. The Committee is accompanying the Minister for Regional Development on a study visit to Nantes in order to evaluate the systems for the planned Belfast rapid transit project. 

Speaking on behalf of the Committee, Chairperson Jimmy Spratt MLA, said: “This study visit to Nantes paints a positive picture of the potential for bus rapid transit in Belfast. Nantes is a pioneer in public transport and the Committee is very impressed by the system in Nantes and at the extent of integration of bus rapid transit into transport structures around the city.

Urban mobility which strikes a balance between cars, public transport and low impact activities like walking and cycling is a model which Belfast can work towards and we have seen such a model in action today in Nantes, a city with similar population spread to Belfast.

The Committee is grateful to the Minister for his invitation to join him in this study visit and looks forward to supporting the Department for Regional Development in moving forward with the proposals for bus rapid transit in Belfast as part of the sustainable transport master plan for the city. The Committee encourages everyone to participate in the Department’s public consultation to be launched in October 2011 on the plans for bus rapid transit in Belfast.”

ENDS