To ask the Minister for Infrastructure for her assessment of the long-term impact Translink cuts will have on rural transport provision.

Translink plays a major part in meeting the social and economic needs of our society, in both urban and rural areas. It operates a range of services to meet these needs which we must fund as part of our commitment to the provision of a public transport network and to Translink’s future.

I am committed to working with Translink to maintain socially and economically necessary services as we respond to customer demand. Indeed, over the course of the pandemic, I have approved a number of service changes to allow resources to be concentrated on essential services.

I am very much aware of the pressures we face, as is the NI Transport Holding Company Board, and, in light of the impact of COVID-19 on its business, it has brought forward a business efficiency programme that is estimated to deliver £20m of savings in this financial year. This programme builds on ongoing efficiencies that the Company has delivered over the past number of years and focuses on actions across the business.

I have been assured by Translink’s Chief Executive that these savings will not impact on front line services delivered through the Public Service Agreement between the Department and Translink. However, these savings alone will not bridge the current funding gap created by lost income as a direct result of Covid-19, and I am continuing to bid for additional resource budget to ensure all services can be maintained. Across the world governments are investing in public transport in order to better connect communities and help tackle climate change. Northern Ireland needs to do the same and I will continue to make this case at the Executive so we can protect our public transport network but also expand it given all of the social, economic and environmental benefits it brings.