Closest matches to “Fare increases regrettable and a step backwards as consequence of underinvestment in public transport, says Muir”
From other parties, ranked by how close their text is in meaning. Close in meaning is not the same as agreeing. Include Alliance · Back to the release
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Durkan: Translink fares increase will punish worst off
SDLP Infrastructure Spokesperson and Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan says a 7% Translink fares increase, directed by Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris, will hit families struggling with the cost of living. He calls for sustainable transport to be made more accessible rather than costlier.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Original release: Durkan: Translink fares increase will punish worst off (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Failure to seize opportunities of public transport will limit NI’s growth
SDLP Opposition Infrastructure Spokesperson Mark H Durkan welcomes rising bus and rail use in the North, citing 2023-24 statistics, but urges the Executive to invest in public transport, arguing that per-head spending lags behind other UK jurisdictions.
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Original release: Durkan: Failure to seize opportunities of public transport will limit NI’s growth (opens in a new tab)
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PBP raise alarm on Translink £47M Shortfall
People Before Profit's Marc Mac Seáin says board minutes show Translink projecting a £47m loss for 2026/27 while consulting on service and fare cuts. He urges people to respond to the consultation and sign an Act Now petition, and says the party will campaign with trade unions for public transport…
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Translink board minutes projecting £47m loss for 2026/27 Original release: PBP raise alarm on Translink £47M Shortfall (opens in a new tab)
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McNulty: Translink fare freeze does not go far enough
SDLP Opposition Infrastructure Spokesperson Justin McNulty MLA says the Infrastructure Minister's announced Translink fare freeze for this year does not go far enough. He calls for reduced public transport fares to be explored with Executive colleagues amid rising fuel costs.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Infrastructure Minister's Translink fare freeze announcement Original release: McNulty: Translink fare freeze does not go far enough (opens in a new tab)
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Fare increase will hit struggling workers and families – Boylan
Newry and Armagh MLA Cathal Boylan, Sinn Féin's infrastructure spokesperson, criticises the rise in bus and train fares during the cost-of-living crisis, saying it will hit hard-pressed households and contrasts with the earlier fare freeze under John O'Dowd.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Original release: Fare increase will hit struggling workers and families – Boylan (opens in a new tab)
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Boylan welcomes freeze of public transport fares
Sinn Féin MLA Cathal Boylan welcomes the Infrastructure Minister's decision to hold public transport fares steady for a second year running, arguing it will ease cost of living pressures and encourage more people onto Translink services.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Infrastructure Minister's Translink fare freeze announcement Original release: Boylan welcomes freeze of public transport fares (opens in a new tab)
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Bus and rail cuts a direct result of Minister’s failure to prioritise public transport
UUP infrastructure spokesperson John Stewart MLA says Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins is not giving public transport enough priority, after Translink warned of possible bus and rail service cuts and reduced concessionary fares. He blames years of underfunding and calls on the Minister to work…
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: Translink considering service cuts and fare discount removal Original release: Bus and rail cuts a direct result of Minister’s failure to prioritise public transport (opens in a new tab)
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Whyte urges bold investment to increase public transport use
SDLP North Belfast Councillor Carl Whyte says new Department for Infrastructure figures show public transport use remains below pre-pandemic levels, and calls for bold investment, safer cycle lanes and a year-round night bus network in Belfast.
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: Public Transport Statistics Northern Ireland 2024-25 report Original release: Whyte urges bold investment to increase public transport use (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: Executive must recognise opportunities of investment in public transport
SDLP Infrastructure Spokesperson Mark H Durkan MLA welcomes Translink's reported rise of three million passenger journeys to about 81.2 million in 2024/25 and urges the Executive to invest in public transport. He claims per-head spending in the North is the lowest in the UK.
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: Translink passenger journeys increase for 2024/25 Original release: Durkan: Executive must recognise opportunities of investment in public transport (opens in a new tab)
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McNulty: Translink savings plans will hit young people and economy
SDLP Opposition Infrastructure Spokesperson Justin McNulty MLA says Translink's proposed cuts to youth discounts and late-night services would hurt young people, local hospitality businesses and the wider economy, and calls them the wrong direction for public transport.
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Issue: Translink public consultation on cost-saving measures including youth discounts and late-night services Original release: McNulty: Translink savings plans will hit young people and economy (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP calls for review of cross-border rail fares
SDLP Newry & Armagh MLA Justin McNulty calls for a review of cross-border rail fares, citing higher fares from Newry than Dundalk to Belfast. The party says it will bring a motion asking the Infrastructure Minister to assess a unified fare structure.
Infrastructure and transport Original release: SDLP calls for review of cross-border rail fares (opens in a new tab)
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Harkin: Defend Public Transport - No Service Cuts, No Fare Hikes
People Before Profit Cllr Shaun Harkin says public transport must be protected and expanded, not cut, ahead of a Derry and Strabane Council debate on his motion opposing Translink service cuts and fare rises. The motion would have the council write to Translink and the DfI Minister and invite…
Infrastructure and transport Local government Issue: Translink consultation on service cuts and discount fare removal Original release: Harkin: Defend Public Transport - No Service Cuts, No Fare Hikes (opens in a new tab)
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McNulty: Executive failure risking Translink cuts
SDLP Opposition Infrastructure Spokesperson Justin McNulty MLA blames an Executive failure to properly fund Translink for possible service cuts and fare discount removals. He says students, disabled and elderly people and rural communities would be hit, and calls for expanded public transport…
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: Translink considering service cuts and fare discount removal Original release: McNulty: Executive failure risking Translink cuts (opens in a new tab)
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"Kimmins Must Intervene To Stop Translink Cuts" - Carroll
People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll urges Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins to intervene and stop Translink's planned reductions to late-evening services and fare rises. He points to losing post-10pm buses and trains on weekday nights, cuts to the yLink youth discount, and the end of off-peak…
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: Translink proposed service cuts and fare increases consultation Original release: "Kimmins Must Intervene To Stop Translink Cuts" - Carroll (opens in a new tab)
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North Down representatives show solidarity with Translink workers
Green Party councillors Barry McKee and Lauren Kendall visited a Bangor picket line to back Translink workers on a 24-hour strike over fair pay. Cllr Kendall calls on the Tories and DUP to fund fair pay and invest in public transport.
Economy and employment Infrastructure and transport Original release: North Down representatives show solidarity with Translink workers (opens in a new tab)
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Concessionary Fares should not be soft target for short-sighted cuts:…
DUP Infrastructure Spokesman Phillip Brett, North Belfast MLA, thanks the public for responding to the Department for Infrastructure consultation on changes to concessionary fares, and says the DUP has submitted its response opposing reductions to free travel for over-60s. Gregory Campbell MP…
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Original release: Concessionary Fares should not be soft target for short-sighted cuts:… (opens in a new tab)
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WHICH? Report further highlights the need for robust intervention and support – Allen
UUP MLA Andy Allen welcomes a WHICH? report showing rising cost-cutting among Northern Ireland households, citing higher rates of reduced essentials spending and energy and food price worry. He calls for short, medium and long-term intervention, blaming the lack of a functioning Stormont executive.
Economy and employment Social security and welfare Original release: WHICH? Report further highlights the need for robust intervention and support – Allen (opens in a new tab)
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It’s time to take notice of the unsustainable way NI is financed
DUP MP Gavin Robinson warns that public service spending for Northern Ireland will fall by about £2,000 per household in real terms over three years, calling for debate on how Northern Ireland is financed. He cites the PSNI shortfall, the Barnett formula and the Fiscal Council.
Public finance and taxation Justice and policing Original release: It’s time to take notice of the unsustainable way NI is financed (opens in a new tab)
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Cllr Flynn calls on Stormont ministers to ringfence Transport funding
Green Party Cllr Flynn calls on Stormont ministers to ringfence the possible £10-15m in Barnett consequentials for public transport, arguing it should go to buses and services amid Translink consultation on cuts and fare rises.
Infrastructure and transport Public finance and taxation Issue: Stormont Barnett consequentials announcement Original release: Cllr Flynn calls on Stormont ministers to ringfence Transport funding (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 20 August 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Translink Workers Strike
People Before Profit stands in full solidarity with Translink transport workers striking over a 0% pay increase, backing bigger, longer and more coordinated strikes and urging supporters to join pickets, fundraise and back union motions.
Economy and employment Infrastructure and transport Issue: Translink 0% pay offer Original release: Translink Workers Strike (opens in a new tab)
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Government must accept realities of Northern Ireland’s finances:…
DUP Leader Gavin Robinson says the Labour Government must recognise Northern Ireland's fiscal realities and accept that its actions, including higher employers' National Insurance contributions, have made delivering public services harder. He made the point after questioning NIO Minister Fleur…
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Issue: Employers' National Insurance increase impact on Northern Ireland public finances Original release: Government must accept realities of Northern Ireland’s finances:… (opens in a new tab)
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de Faoite urges Minister to fund nightbus services
SDLP Belfast City Council Group Leader Séamas de Faoite urges Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd to fund weekend nightbus services in Belfast, costing around £150,000 a year, after the Minister said the matter is for Translink. He argues the services would boost the night-time economy and help…
Infrastructure and transport Economy and employment Original release: de Faoite urges Minister to fund nightbus services (opens in a new tab)
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Industrial action a symptom of public service underfunding
The DUP's Gavin Robinson, Deputy Leader and East Belfast MP, says further industrial action by Education Authority workers shows Northern Ireland's public services are underfunded. He blames the lack of a budget, not political will, for obstructing fair pay awards and says the baseline Treasury…
Public finance and taxation Economy and employment Original release: Industrial action a symptom of public service underfunding (opens in a new tab)
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Northern Ireland Housing Executive must ensure tenants receive value for money – Allen
UUP MLA Andy Allen objects to a 7% rise in NIHE rents, saying it hits low-income households and questioning whether past planning failures are behind it. He urges the housing body to prioritise insulation and timely maintenance, and points tenants to its Financial Inclusion Team.
Housing Economy and employment Original release: Northern Ireland Housing Executive must ensure tenants receive value for money – Allen (opens in a new tab)
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Free fares Minister presses for retention of Scheme
DUP East Londonderry MP Gregory Campbell urges the public to respond to the DfI consultation on changes to concessionary fares for over-60s, and calls on the Department to protect the scheme, citing Translink figures showing over nine million senior journeys in 2022.
Infrastructure and transport Original release: Free fares Minister presses for retention of Scheme (opens in a new tab)
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Dunne presses for clarity on concessionary fares scheme
DUP MLA Stephen Dunne presses the Infrastructure Minister for clarity on the future of the Concessionary Fares Scheme, noting no decision has followed the consultation that closed in August 2023. He welcomes the Minister's stated intention to keep the scheme in its current form and calls for…
Infrastructure and transport Disability and equality Original release: Dunne presses for clarity on concessionary fares scheme (opens in a new tab)
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Rail review a missed opportunity to include all of Northern Ireland:…
DUP infrastructure spokesperson and Fermanagh & South Tyrone MLA Deborah Erskine says the All-Island Strategic Rail Review missed a chance by leaving out County Fermanagh, which would be the only county without rail links. She notes the omission was raised during consultation and says Fermanagh…
Infrastructure and transport Original release: Rail review a missed opportunity to include all of Northern Ireland:… (opens in a new tab)
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Communities Minister's statement on Labour Party's Winter Fuel…
DUP Communities Minister Gordon Lyons tells the Assembly he is totally opposed to the UK Government's restriction of Winter Fuel Payments, saying it was unexpected, was not in Labour's manifesto and was made without notice to his department. He estimates maintaining universal payments in Northern…
Social security and welfare Public finance and taxation Original release: Communities Minister's statement on Labour Party's Winter Fuel… (opens in a new tab)
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People Before Profit Slam Proposed Fees Increase At University
People Before Profit Councillor Shaun Harkin criticises Ulster University Vice Chancellor Paul Bartholomew's suggestion that fees rise above £9,000 to fund Magee expansion, calling for fees to be reduced and eventually abolished.
Education Issue: Ulster University Vice Chancellor suggests tuition fees above £9,000 for Magee expansion Original release: People Before Profit Slam Proposed Fees Increase At University (opens in a new tab)
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Jim Allister Calls the SDLP and Alliance to Account for Voting to Increase the Cost of Living
TUV leader Jim Allister, MP for North Antrim, criticises the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (Extension to Maritime Activities) Order 2026, saying its carbon charges on Great Britain–Northern Ireland ferries will raise travel and goods costs. He accuses the SDLP and Alliance of…
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme maritime extension order 2026 Original release: Jim Allister Calls the SDLP and Alliance to Account for Voting to Increase the Cost of Living (opens in a new tab)