‘PRIVATE TAXIS’ IN BELFAST BUS LANES: Green Party councillor criticises decision to allow access to lanes
Green Party Councillor for Lisnasharragh, Brian Smyth, has spoken out against the decision to allow ‘private taxis’ to use bus lanes in Northern Ireland. The move, approved by DFI Minister John O’Dowd, has sparked concerns over its impact on public transport users, cyclists, and traffic congestion.
The Green Party argues that the decision will negatively affect Belfast residents who rely on public transport, with 34% of the city’s population lacking access to a car or van. Allowing ‘private taxis’ in bus lanes, they say, will slow down buses and make commuting more difficult for those who depend on them.
Safety is another key concern. Bus lanes provide a degree of protection for cyclists, and the Green Party fears this change will put them at greater risk. Councillor Smyth warns that reducing the appeal of cycling as a transport option runs counter to efforts to encourage active travel.
Confusion on the roads is also a risk, he says, with unmarked Class C taxis potentially being mistaken for private vehicles by other drivers. This, he claims, could lead to issues with compliance and enforcement.
Traffic congestion in Belfast and across Northern Ireland remains a long-standing issue. Smyth sees this decision as another example of the Stormont Executive failing to properly fund public transport. Instead of addressing the root causes of congestion, he argues, the Government is making short-term decisions that worsen the situation.
Cllr Smyth said: "We have seen Minister O'Dowd on the back foot for a number of months as traffic congestion has increased in Belfast. Only last week the minister was encouraging people to get the bus into the City Centre, yet now he has given the go-ahead to bus lanes being swamped by private taxis."
Cllr Smyth added: "The Green Party has long argued for increased investment in active travel in NI, we currently spend just £2 per head of population on active travel, the lowest across the UK and compared to €72 in the South.
"The Green Party is calling for a transport strategy that is fit for purpose and future focused, which prioritises walking and cycling and the use of public transport to get around our city, rather than short term solutions that will only make the situation worse for all road users."
