THE head of Translink has raised concerns about a decision to allow taxis in Belfast bus lanes.
Last month, the Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd introduced the pilot scheme in an attempt to ease traffic congestion.
Appearing at a meeting of Stormont’s infrastructure committee on Wednesday, Chris Conway said city centre congestion remained a “complex issue.”
As well as the new Grand Central Station, he said increased investment was planned in creating more park-and-ride facilities to encourage more passengers out of their cars.
Asked about the decision to allow taxis in bus lanes, he added: “I have concerns about it, but I understand why the minister had to make that decision at the point in time he did it.”
He said it would also take time to properly understand the benefits for commuters.
“I know cyclists are concerned about it because obviously the bus lanes are obviously used for cyclists as well, and that’s one of the concerns from a safety perspective,” he said.
“But I think we’re of the view, let’s wait and see and see how it works out.”
With work to dismantle the Boyne Bridge after a month of planning holdups, he said the Department for Communities was looking at ways to support businesses affected in the area.
