To ask the Minister for Regional Development, in relation to the reports that one city and 13 towns are set to lose their urban bus services next year, which towns will be affected; and how the removal of these services is likely to affect older people and people with disabilities who rely on these services.

Set out below are the potential service reductions outlined by Translink in response to the budget potentially available next year. I would stress that these are indicative at this stage and no decisions have been taken. These are additional to income generation and efficiency and rationalisation measures which Translink are also proposing to make. These details will need to be revisited in light of the Executive’s final decision on the 15/16 Budget.

Potential withdrawal of the following town services:

Armagh

Ballyclare

Ballynahinch

Banbridge

Carrickfergus

Cookstown

Downpatrick

Enniskillen

Limavady

Magherafelt

Newcastle

Newtownabbey

Omagh

Strabane

Potential service reductions and consolidation in the following towns:

Antrim

Ballymena

Bangor

Dungannon

Lurgan

Portadown

Newry

If implemented, this would impact all users of these services including older people and people with a disability. It is possible that a detailed impact would be subject to Equality Impact Assessments.