How safe is getting home after a night out in Co. Armagh?
Also, how an Armagh I story prompted a drugs bust at Armagh bus station...
Planning your journey home is one of the most important steps you can take to stay safe after a night out but how easy is this in Co. Armagh? Have you tried ordering a taxi in Portadown or Lurgan or indeed anywhere across the county - virtually impossible - and has this led to the bigger problem of anti-social behaviour?
In April 2022 we covered a story taxi shortage a ‘factor’ in night-time disorder with injured man still recovering.
In 2019, local taxi firms were snapped up by a larger Belfast based taxi company - this saw the migration of operations for many Co Armagh firms including Anytime Taxis, Autocabs, Call-A-Cab, Check Cabs, Eden Cabs, K Jays and Minicab Taxis.
In terms of booking a taxi what happened to the days of ringing up the taxi rank, booking your taxi and it showing up? Furthermore, you could also book your return fair when being dropped off - now the majority of the time you are told to book ‘on the app’. All well and good if your phone battery doesn’t die, you are in an area with good service, or you have WIFI available.
In Lurgan, provision of the ‘Get Home Safe Bus’ does serve to ease some of these problems. Armagh I spoke to the Policing & Community Safety Partnership who said ‘the Get Home Safe Bus aims to prevent crime by improving the safety of patron’s frequenting licensed premises within the vicinity of William Street, Lurgan; to reduce the number of assaults in the vicinity; to reduce the number of incidents of criminal damage; to reduce the number of incidents of anti-social behaviour; to reduce the fear of crime; and to improve patron’s awareness of the simple steps they can take to reduce the risk of being a victim’.
So, it would appear that at least in Lurgan, the journey home is somewhat easier than in neighbouring towns. The delivery of the service is carried out during the times of 12am to 3am, on every Saturday night/Sunday morning.
Tell us your thoughts on this subject
In the headlines
Police operation prompted by Armagh I ‘drugs at bus station’ story led to two arrests
‘It is really not good’ – concerns raised over parking problems in Portadown town centre
Portadown man who swindled more than £46,000 from employer avoids jail
Dog fouling ‘all over the place literally’ as Council asked not just to focus on towns
Non-opening fixed bridge proposed for Newry Ship Canal
‘It is really not good’ – concerns raised over parking problems in Portadown town centre
A Portadown man appeared in court on Tuesday accused of the murder of his infant son four years ago.
‘Imperative’ Craigavon footbridge is replaced ‘as soon as possible’
This week Armagh I took to the streets of the city to ask local people and businesses what they thought the city has to offer. Local tourism expert and tour guide Donna Fox describes Armagh as “one of the oldest settlements in Ireland, which has a rich tapestry of history, heritage and culture woven into the buildings and the rolling green landscape surrounding the city”. So what do you think of the ancient city and our current tourism offerings? Watch below.
Also: Read more from Donna Fox on local tourism in next Tuesday’s newsletter.
Armagh Jobs
Lisa O’Neill has found her passion as Corporate Policy and HR Officer at Armagh Planetarium
Ticket giveaway
Congratulations to this weeks winner Theresa Murray. You are this weeks winner of a pair of cinema tickets. Check your emails for details on how to claim your prize.
Look back…
This week we took a look back to March 2000, the year our beloved Market Place Theatre opened its doors (coincidentally, the doors opened on February 28 with first performances taking place throughout the month of March).
In another happy coincidence, the Armagh Observer reported on March 16, 2000 that rural transportation arrangements had been put in place to help ferry rural residents into the city centre to enjoy an evening’s theatre without the worry of finding parking (or paying for it)!
It was reported that Ulsterbus would provide transportation from Killylea, Caledon, Middletown, Milford, Keady, Markethill, Hamiltonsbawn and Richhill one night per week.
The late night run included collection and drop off, which meant that, those who availed had an assured way to get home safely in the company of others, no standing in the dark, cold streets waiting for taxis or lifts and could enjoy an ‘adult’ beverage without worrying about assigning a designated driver.
Also this week
Did you read Tuesday’s Newsletter? Click below
I worked as an operator for one of the above taxi companies in Lurgan. Worst thing ever happened was Fon A Cab taking them over A total joke of a company that are only interested in drivers rent money they don't give a damn about customers! The one remaining company in Lurgan A1 are the only ones you rely on but they can't lift everyone! The bus is a good if it goes your way but wait until some of the idiots assault the driver then it will be cancelled you can script it as taxi drivers face it regularly!
Brilliant idea the bus will help so many people feel safer about going out