asked Her Majesty’s Government:

What proposals they have to invest in bus travel in County Fermanagh. [HL956]

The Government continue to invest in bus travel in County Fermanagh in a number of ways.

Through the rural transport fund, the Government provide support to two rural community transport partnerships and to Translink to provide bus services which will help to reduce social exclusion for people with reduced mobility in rural County Fermanagh. During 2007-08, some £320,000 will be made available, of which £225,000 will be allocated to the two partnerships. The remainder will be provided to Translink to operate a demand-responsive transport project, Rural Rover. The future roll-out of demand-responsive transport initiatives in the county will be considered in light of this and other projects.

In September 2006, the Government began to introduce a new specialised door-to-door transport scheme for older people and people with disabilities throughout Northern Ireland. This service will be introduced in the Enniskillen urban area in April 2007.

On 20 November 2006, Translink launched a new network of enhanced town services within Enniskillen along with new express services to and from Belfast.

In 2007-08, the department plans to fund the purchase of up to 346 new buses for Translink. All areas of Northern Ireland, including County Fermanagh, will benefit from this investment.

asked Her Majesty’s Government:

By what percentage the volume of bus passenger journeys has changed during the past five years in (a) Northern Ireland outside Belfast, and (b) Belfast. [HL958]

Citybus/Metro passenger journeys increased by 9.3 per cent over the five years to 2005-06. Ulsterbus passenger journeys remained constant over the same period.