TRANSLINK has fallen “woefully short” on provision for public transport to and from this Saturday’s All-Ireland senior football quarter-finals, it has been claimed.
Armagh face Roscommon and Dublin play Galway in the quarter-finals in a Croke Park double-header.
Translink has set up GAA bus and rail ‘specials’ for fans looking to travel from the orchard county, however, All Ireland winner and SDLP MLA Justin McNulty feels they don’t go far enough.
The rail special, which is sold out, appears to be spare Taylor Swift transport specials costing £45. It leaves Dublin for Portadown railway station at midnight, with the later game of Dublin against Galway provisionally ending as early as 8.40pm.
Alternatively, fans can purchase a bus special which leaves Armagh bus station at 11am, however, the return coach leaves Dublin at 7pm, which means that the travelling Armagh fans, who have admission for both games included in their ticket prices, will have to leave the second game before the final whistle.
Former Armagh and Mullaghbawn full-back and SDLP MLA Justin McNulty said it was unacceptable.
“Translink have fallen woefully short in providing adequate transport for GAA fans to get to Croke Park,” he said McNulty.
“They have completely messed up on scheduling, with services returning north before the end of both matches.
“A family of four travelling to the match are being asked to cough up £144 to get the train there and back.”
The return bus ticket from Armagh to Dublin this Saturday has been priced at £32 for an adult, and £20 for a child. Furthermore, tickets for the train service departing Newry are priced at £45 for an adult, and £27 for a child.
Mr McNulty has now written to Translink CEO Chris Conway and Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd to voice his opposition.
He said: ”I let them know, in no uncertain terms, that they need to get a grip and get this sorted. The GAA is the largest sporting organisation on this island.
“Public interest in Saturday’s matches is enormous, and Translink has once again been found wanting.”
In the letter, McNulty outlines his “disappointment at both the pricing and the scheduling of those services” with these issues adding to the already busy schedule of transport provision needed as 600,000 people are due in Dublin this weekend.
Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour is doing a three-night run in the Aviva Stadium along with Dublin Gay Pride and the Longitude music festival.
Translink was asked to comment on concerns raised.
In a separate statement, it said the coming weekend would be “one of the busiest on the events calendar this year” adding it would be “operating enhanced and special services, utilising all available resources”.