Extra services for the Derry to Belfast 212 bus service
The Foyleside Councillor plans to introduce a motion to Derry City and Strabane District Council this week requesting that the local authority write to Translink to ask them to reconsider.
Harkin will also call on Council to support the move towards free public transport and begin a process of exploring its implementation.
The PBP representative will also ask Council to facilitate a meeting with transport workers in the North West to get their ideas on how to improve services for all.
Cllr Harkin argues that free public transport is common sense;
“This is about affordability in a cost of living crisis. We should be helping people instead of piling on hardship.
“Across Europe and the world, countries and cities are moving towards universal free access to public transport.
“We have a climate crisis to address, we need to look at environmental measures to take cars off the road.
“We can only achieve this by opening access to public transport and improving services. ”
Cllr Harkin went on to point out what was happening in transport policy in the Republic.
“Right across the south of Ireland fares are being reduced and services increased to encourage greater use of public transport.
“There are two major issues at play here. One is that we are in a cost of living crisis and the proposed fare increase will further marginalise the poorest in society.
“The other is that we have to start taking the environmental situation seriously.”
