Residents living off a busy South Belfast road are calling for increased bus services in the area, saying that often only one comes every hour.
Ravenhill Road residents are calling on Translink to increase the number of buses that service the road, saying that the lack of public transport makes it difficult for many to travel easily.
The closest routes with more frequent buses are on the Ormeau Road and Woodstock Road, which can be around a 20 minute walk to get to.
A local resident said: “The service itself into town is brilliant and only takes around 10 minutes and is great value for money. The problem is it’s just not frequent enough. I find it hard to believe that the demand isn’t there given how many people live in the likes of the Old Baker’s Court development.
“I personally think that if the service was more frequent that would be matched with more people using it.
“The Ormeau Road is a bit of a trek away from the Ravenhill, especially if the weather is bad, so you’re often having to do a lot of planning on when you can catch one of the Ravenhill buses.
“I was on the Ormeau Road recently and seeing the buses coming every ten minutes there is incredible in comparison. Like I said the service is great in terms of value for money and how long it takes – I just think that we could do with a higher frequency rate.”
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Councillor Brian Smyth said that he has been pushing for an increased bus service since he was first elected to Belfast City Council and that due to the growth in the area, it is needed now more than ever.
He said: ” This is one of the first things I have been arguing for since I got elected.
” I have raised this, other Councillors have raised this and we have been told that because the expansion of the glider is coming, it has never been seen as a priority.
“The Ravenhill Road has massively grown over the last number of years, if you look at the area around the Ardenlee and down the side of the garage, there are a couple of thousand people in there.
“There are lots of people who can’t afford to live on the Ormeau Road anymore, because rents have gone through the roof, and are moving to the likes of the Ravenhill and Cregagh, although the Cregagh has a very good route.
“We get one bus every hour at times. Some Belfast bike stations on the road should be a priority, and there are some scheduled before 2023. I know in terms of transport infrastructure it is poor and hasn’t kept up with the demand.
“Translink need to have a look and assess the needs on the Ravenhill Road, one bus an hour isn’t on. People’s lifestyles have changed, and how are we meant to get more people on the buses if we don’t give them the routes. It is easier to jump in the car and go elsewhere.”
Translink has said that the current capacity and frequency of bus use on the Ravenhill Road doesn’t meet the threshold for more.
A Translink spokesperson said: “The Ravenhill Road is served by Metro 6d and 6e which operate approx. half hourly at peak times and hourly during the day.
“The frequency of services is determined by passenger numbers and main arterial routes, such as the nearby Woodstock/Cregagh Road (Metro 6) and Ormeau Road (Metro 7) have higher demand, dictating a higher frequency.
“We keep passenger numbers under continuing review and where passenger numbers justify, frequency is enhanced.
“The present capacity and frequency on the Ravenhill Road service at this stage do not meet the required threshold for frequency enhancements.”
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