§ Lady HermonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he expects to announce the results of the research undertaken into the proportion of disabled passengers carried on the Easibus network in Northern Ireland. [143585]
§ Mr. SpellarThe results of the survey are expected to be made available early in the new year.
§ Mr. BeggsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many licensed bus and coach operators there were in each of the last five years. [144223]
§ Angela SmithThe number of licensed bus and coach operators based in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years was:
Total 98–99 141 99–00 114 00–01 109 01–02 149 02–03 135
§ Mr. BeggsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to introduce a public transport service to serve(a) isolated communities and (b) mobility impaired residents in rural areas. [144232]
§ Mr. SpellarThe Department for Regional Development continues to support 16 rural community transport partnerships, which offer a range of transport services for their members that complement conventional public transport networks and which in particular provide transport opportunities for people with reduced mobility in rural areas. These partnerships cover most of rural Northern Ireland and the Department is encouraging local interests to establish partnerships in areas currently not covered. The Department also provides revenue support to Translink to maintain a network of 44 rural routes across Northern Ireland, which would otherwise be uneconomic to run. Recently the Department introduced the Bus Challenge850W Scheme to support new stage carriage bus services in both rural and urban areas. This scheme is open to both Translink and private bus operators and is aimed at addressing gaps in the provision of bus services. So far the Department has agreed to support eight new routes which go through rural areas.