§ Mr. Peter RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on progress on plans for a rapid transport system for Belfast. [122366]
§ Mr. SpellarWork is in progress to assess the potential for a rapid transit network in the Belfast Metropolitan area, and in particular, an EWAY-type pilot scheme along the Belfast—Newtownards corridor. This work is being taken forward in the context of preparing the Belfast Metropolitan Transport Plan, which is due to be published later this year.
§ Mr. Peter RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate he has made of the annual cost of extending the free fares scheme to all those over 60 in Northern Ireland. [122374]
§ Mr. SpellarWe estimate that the cost of extending the Northern Ireland Concessionary Fares Scheme to provide free travel on public transport for all those over 60 would be about £3.3 million in the first year, taking account of set-up costs, and about £2.9 million per annum thereafter at current fare levels.