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Policy Proposals for Rapid Transit

Introduction

The Department proposes to introduce new primary legislation in order to provide the necessary powers for the implementation of bus based Rapid Transit. As part of this process the Department sought views on the Rapid Transit policy proposals (see 'Public Consultation' below).

Public Consultation

The public consultation exercise on the policy proposals for Rapid Transit ran from 23 November 2009 to 19 February 2010. You can still view, or download (free of charge), any or all of the documents contained within the Consultation Pack. These documents are available in PDF format. The Question and Answer booklet and the Easy Read version of the Summary Document are available in Word Format.

PDF versions:

Word version:

Easy Read version:

These documents can be made available, upon request, in large print, Braille and audio alternative formats. Please contact us (details below) to discuss your requirements.

Responses

The Department received 36 responses to the public consultation on the policy proposals for Rapid Transit, from the bodies and individuals below. The individual responses, in Pdf format, can be accessed by following the relevant links below.

Consultation Report

Following the completion of the public consultation the Department has produced a Consultation Report (see link below). This report is an account of the consultation process and a record of:

  • the information from the written responses received as part of the consultation exercise;
  • the Department’s response to the views and comments received; and
  • the final policy conclusions and decisions taken following completion of the public consultation exercise.

Next Steps

In addition to the public consultation on the policy proposals for Rapid Transit the Department also undertook a public consultation on the Public Transport Reform proposals between 9 November 2009 and 5 February 2010. The policy proposals for both sets of reforms received a broad welcome from most of the respondents through the consultation process.

Detailed policy work on the proposed Rapid Transit and Public Transport Reform Bills and the outcome of the two consultations, demonstrated an almost complete overlap in terms of the legislative requirements for the two proposals.  The Minister for Regional Development therefore concluded that they should be taken forward in a single Bill.

The Department therefore sought, and subsequently received, approval from the Executive Committee to issue instructions to the Office of the Legislative Counsel to draft a new Transport Bill.

The Department has noted the comments and concerns expressed during the consultation process in relation to the implementation of Rapid Transit. The exact details of the operation of the Belfast Rapid Transit system (including the alignment of the routes, location of individual stops/halts, ticketing arrangements, security, accessibility, etc) have yet to be finalised and these will form the basis of further public awareness and consultation in the future, including the required statutory impact assessments.

Contact Details:

Rapid Transit Division
Department for Regional Development
Clarence Court
10-18 Adelaide Street
BELFAST
BT2 8GB


Telephone: (028) 9054 0273
Fax: (028) 9054 1129
Textphone:(028) 9054 0642
E-mail: brt@drdni.gov.uk.