News
21-03-06, 05:17 PM
A new bus service aimed at helping revellers in Belfast city centre to get home safely has been launched.
Buses leave from Shaftesbury Square on weekend nights, operating on four routes through south, east and west Belfast in the 16-week pilot project.
Belfast City Council's Andrew Hassard said the multi-agency scheme was a way to curb anti-social behaviour.
"This is another tool in our armoury to get more people out of town as quickly as we can," he said.
"There are cross-community faith volunteers plus we have some door-trained supervisors as stewards to provide crowd management.
"We will assess over time whether we need that or not, but they are there to provide reassurance to people on the buses, and so far it has worked very well."
The bus service is part of Belfast City Council's Get Home Safe scheme which aims to reduce and increase awareness of the dangers of alcohol-related violence.
Criminal Justice Minister David Hanson said the initiative had significantly reduced assaults and violent crime.
"The evening and night time economy is a key feature of a modern vibrant society and we want to encourage people to socialise in the city centre," he said.
"They will only do this if they feel safe and this project will contribute greatly to improving public safety and reducing the likelihood of anti-social behaviour."
Circular routes
Four double-decker buses leave Shaftesbury Square at 45-minute intervals between 0115 and 0245 each Friday and Saturday.
Fares are set at a flat rate of £3, operating on circular routes to Finaghy and Andersonstown, Belvoir and Ormeau Road, and along the Castlereagh and Cregagh Roads.
All buses operate a strict ban on smoking, food and alcohol.
A shuttle bus service also operates around the Holylands area of south Belfast, costing £2.
Under new government proposals, in the future pubs in Northern Ireland could be allowed to stay open until 2am.
Last November, it published a consultation paper which suggested changing the licensing laws in two stages, although it does not go as far as allowing the 24-hour opening as in England and Wales.
News Source
http://www.neighbourfromhell.co.uk/general...tackling_crime/ (http://www.neighbourfromhell.co.uk/general/night_bus_aimed_at_tackling_crime/)
Buses leave from Shaftesbury Square on weekend nights, operating on four routes through south, east and west Belfast in the 16-week pilot project.
Belfast City Council's Andrew Hassard said the multi-agency scheme was a way to curb anti-social behaviour.
"This is another tool in our armoury to get more people out of town as quickly as we can," he said.
"There are cross-community faith volunteers plus we have some door-trained supervisors as stewards to provide crowd management.
"We will assess over time whether we need that or not, but they are there to provide reassurance to people on the buses, and so far it has worked very well."
The bus service is part of Belfast City Council's Get Home Safe scheme which aims to reduce and increase awareness of the dangers of alcohol-related violence.
Criminal Justice Minister David Hanson said the initiative had significantly reduced assaults and violent crime.
"The evening and night time economy is a key feature of a modern vibrant society and we want to encourage people to socialise in the city centre," he said.
"They will only do this if they feel safe and this project will contribute greatly to improving public safety and reducing the likelihood of anti-social behaviour."
Circular routes
Four double-decker buses leave Shaftesbury Square at 45-minute intervals between 0115 and 0245 each Friday and Saturday.
Fares are set at a flat rate of £3, operating on circular routes to Finaghy and Andersonstown, Belvoir and Ormeau Road, and along the Castlereagh and Cregagh Roads.
All buses operate a strict ban on smoking, food and alcohol.
A shuttle bus service also operates around the Holylands area of south Belfast, costing £2.
Under new government proposals, in the future pubs in Northern Ireland could be allowed to stay open until 2am.
Last November, it published a consultation paper which suggested changing the licensing laws in two stages, although it does not go as far as allowing the 24-hour opening as in England and Wales.
News Source
http://www.neighbourfromhell.co.uk/general...tackling_crime/ (http://www.neighbourfromhell.co.uk/general/night_bus_aimed_at_tackling_crime/)