Close Menu
WTX News
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Trending
    • Arrests made at protest for Palestine Action in London
    • Jamie Overton replaces Saqib Mahmood in England XI for third ODI
    • Sure! Here’s the text without the site name, category, date, and full stops: “It blew my mind as a kid” TV fans reveal best sci-fi series ever
    • Israel warns Gaza City residents to flee south to humanitarian area
    • Mauricio Pochettino ‘shocked’ by Daniel Levy’s Tottenham exit
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube
    WTX News
    • Live News
      • US News
      • EU News
      • UK News
      • Politics
      • COVID-19
      • Business
      • Tech zone
    • World news
      • Middle East News
        • UAE News
        • Palestine News
      • Europe
        • Italian News
        • Spanish News
      • Africa news
      • South America
      • North America
      • Asia
    • News Briefings
      • UK News Briefing
      • World News Briefing
      • Live Business News
    • Sports
      • Football News
      • Tennis
      • Women’s Football
    • MY World
      • Climate Change
      • In Review
      • Expose
      • Special Reports
        • Conscience Convoy
        • Rohingya Report
    • Entertainment
      • Insta Talk
      • Royal Family
      • Gaming News
      • TV Shows
      • Streaming
    • Lifestyle
      • Fitness
      • Fashion
      • Cooking recipes
      • Luxury
      • Money Saving Expert
    • Travel
      • Culture
      • Holidays
    • Sign Up
      • Log In
    WTX News
    • Live News
    • World news
    • News Briefings
    • Sports
    • MY World
    • Entertainment
    • Lifestyle
    • Travel
    • Sign Up
    Home - Northern Ireland - Public transport “not usually a viable option” for Infrastructure minister John O’Dowd – The Irish News
    Northern Ireland

    Public transport “not usually a viable option” for Infrastructure minister John O’Dowd – The Irish News

    By David Pike3 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Telegram WhatsApp
    Public transport “not usually a viable option” for Infrastructure minister John O’Dowd – The Irish News

    The Department for Infrastructure has said using public transport is “not usually a viable option” for minister John O’Dowd, despite urging members of the public to use buses and trains in a bid to prevent traffic congestion in Belfast.

    Mr O’Dowd and spokespeople for his department have made several statements in recent weeks encouraging people to use public transport as complaints around city centre traffic become louder.

    Belfast city centre has seen significant periods of traffic congestion since the opening of the new £340m Grand Central Station in October.

    The Stormont department has outlined a number of measures it is taking to address the traffic congestion in the city, including a review of traffic signals, junction amendments and increased use of the Trafficwatch social media account.

    Speaking in the Assembly on Monday, Mr O’Dowd appealed to motorists “to consider other options they can take to avoid congestion, such as public transport, park and ride, active travel, or if possible, planning their journey to use an alternative route or avoid peak times.”


    Join the Irish News Whatsapp channel

    However, when asked by the Irish News how the Minister travels to work at Stormont, departmental headquarters in Belfast city centre, or his constituency office in Lurgan, DFI didn’t detail whether he uses public transport or his chauffeur-driven ministerial car.



    In a brief statement, a DFI spokesperson said: “The Minister uses public transport when it is practical for him to do so”.

    Asked to elaborate further, the department said the minister works in Belfast city centre “at most two days a week” to avoid adding to congestion.

    “The Minister works in the city centre at most two days a week, working the other days either in the Assembly, out and about on visits or remotely. By limiting his trips into the city centre the Minister avoids adding to the congestion.

    “Due to the confidential and often highly sensitive nature of Ministerial and Executive business public transport is not usually a viable option for Ministerial travel. Where the Minister can use public transport, he does so.”

    Alongside the traffic chaos which has hit Belfast city centre in recent months, disruption to bus and train services have become commonplace, with several bus services coming out of the city at rush hour significantly delayed or even cancelled due to the congestion.

    Busy bus stops in areas such as Great Victoria Street and the Dublin Road are regularly seen as heavily backed up as passengers wait on delayed services.

    Rail services have also been subject to disruption in recent weeks, with some passengers reporting trains unable to stop at some stations due to maximum capacity on the way in to the city during the busy Christmas shopping season.

    Speaking on BBC Radio Ulster, DUP MLA Philip Brett said efforts from the department to fix the traffic chaos were “not working”.

    “I think it’s clearly evident that our current network and capacity within the system is not reliable and it’s not working,” Mr Brett said.

    Public transport “not usually a viable option” for Infrastructure minister John O’Dowd – The Irish News

    News Just in

    Arrests made at protest for Palestine Action in London

    WTX News Editor

    Cliff Notes Arrests occurred at the Palestine Action protest in London, with Police making their first arrests shortly after the protest began. The demonstration, supporting

    Read More »

    Jamie Overton replaces Saqib Mahmood in England XI for third ODI

    WTX Sports Team

    Cliff Notes – Jamie Overton replaces Saqib Mahmood in England XI for third ODI Ben Duckett has been retained for the third ODI against South

    Read More »

    Belfast Dublin NI featured Northern Ireland News The Irish Times UK featured
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email Telegram WhatsApp
    Previous ArticleJudge rejects sale of Infowars to The Onion
    Next Article Hundreds of thousands hit by ruinous carer’s allowance penalties, audit shows
    David Pike

    David Pike is an experienced news journalist with over 20 years experience as a UK News editor for WTX News and other news publications.

    Related Posts

    Kneecap rapper appears in court on terror charge as protesters gather outside
    Celebrities

    Kneecap rapper appears in court on terror charge as protesters gather outside

    Petrol bombs thrown at police in fifth night of violence in Northern Ireland as trouble moves to Portadown
    Northern Ireland

    Petrol bombs thrown at police in fifth night of violence in Northern Ireland as trouble moves to Portadown

    🇬🇧 Second Night of Riots in Ballymena After Racially Motivated Attacks
    Northern Ireland

    🇬🇧 Second Night of Riots in Ballymena After Racially Motivated Attacks

    Gerry Adams awarded thousands in damages after winning libel action against BBC
    UK News

    Gerry Adams awarded thousands in damages after winning libel action against BBC

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    You must be logged in to post a comment.

    Advertisment
    News Headlines
    Arrests made at protest for Palestine Action in London

    Arrests made at protest for Palestine Action in London

    Israel warns Gaza City residents to flee south to humanitarian area

    Israel warns Gaza City residents to flee south to humanitarian area

    Save 70% on VIP subscription
    News Briefings - the way to a better life
    News Briefings - the way to a better life
    Advert by Sponsors
    More from WTX News
    The latest gaming news - with game reviews and tips and tricks. updated 24 hours a day.
    The latest gaming news
    Hot off the press!
    • Arrests made at protest for Palestine Action in London September 6, 2025
    • Jamie Overton replaces Saqib Mahmood in England XI for third ODI September 6, 2025
    • Sure! Here’s the text without the site name, category, date, and full stops: “It blew my mind as a kid” TV fans reveal best sci-fi series ever September 6, 2025
    • Israel warns Gaza City residents to flee south to humanitarian area September 6, 2025
    • Mauricio Pochettino ‘shocked’ by Daniel Levy’s Tottenham exit September 6, 2025
    wtx news brings you the latest news, a UK news briefing, Sports analysis, and premier league news with a special round-up of Business and crypto updates
    Facebook X (Twitter) TikTok Instagram

    News

    • World News
    • UK News
    • US News
    • EU News
    • Business
    • Opinions
    • News Briefing
    • Live News

    Company

    • About WTX News
    • Register
    • Advertising
    • Work with us
    • Contact
    • Community
    • GDPR Policy
    • Privacy

    Services

    • Fitness for free
    • Insta Talk
    • How to guides
    • Climate Change
    • In Review
    • Expose
    • NEWS SUMMARY
    • Money Saving Expert

    News delivered to your inbox

    Copyright WTX News 2025

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.