Price hikes all around us from our rates to our bus fares, how is it affecting you?
Price hikes all around us from our rates to our bus fares, how is it affecting you?
also.. accused’s pre-recorded live stream ‘chilling’ as bail refused in Natalie McNally murder
Commuting - it’s part and parcel of our daily lives. It doesn’t matter if you are 15 minutes or 15 miles from work, we all commute, unless of course you work from home (and perhaps working from home is an option needed if you are a public transport user!) Armagh I reported on Sunday evening that Translink’s standard fares would increase on average by approximately 7% from Monday, March 6.
As this hike applies to all Metro, Glider, NI Railways, Enterprise, Goldliner and Ulsterbus services it appears that there are very few service users who will escape this added pressure on finances.
So, that would be a 30-75% increase in the daily cost of bus travel to Belfast with the ‘Early bird’ rate no longer available!
Translink state they “have worked hard to keep fare adjustments as low as possible, having had no fare increase in four years” and that “this revision still ensures the bus and train remain a competitive, cleaner and healthier travel choice compared to using a private car”.
Add this increase to the rates increase - Newry Mourne and Down District Council (NMDDC) struck a rates increase of 5.99% despite a challenge to lower the percentage by using surplus finances. Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon among the lowest rates hikes in Northern Ireland at 5.96% whilst Mid-Ulster Council rates increase was ‘below inflation’ with 62p per week increase.
Facts are facts! The rising cost of living does not just apply to service users. Ultimately, Translink have bills to pay as do Councils. These organisations are not void of any responsibility of paying electric and heating bills – and it takes an awful lot of fuel to run buses and trains.
There’s brighter news on the horizon for those who are seeing constant rising costs but little happening in the pay packet. From April 2023, the National Living Wage will be increased by 92p from the 2022 rate of £9.50 to the new rate of £10.42.
In the headlines
The man accused of murdering Lurgan mum-to-be Natalie McNally just before Christmas has been refused bail in the High Court on Monday. The accused sat and watched proceedings via live link from Maghaberry while members of Miss McNally’s family watched on from inside the courtroom in Belfast.
Approval served up to re-open former Lurgan menswear store as hot food takeaway
Attempted murder accused claiming to be child refugee may in fact be 24, court hears
Judge issues final warning in delay-beset Katie Simpson murder case
A man wanted for drugs offences in Poland has been arrested in Newry.
An investigation has been launched after Newry home was ransacked on Friday evening
A man has been arrested in connection with a high-speed police pursuit which resulted in an officer being taken to hospital.
In Pictures: Fans delight as Armagh secure vital league win against Donegal
Related newsletter issues: Did we eat out to help out and who ultimately did we help out?
Armagh man allegedly sped through red lights in Portadown town centre at ‘over 100mph’
Last week, we took to the streets of Armagh to see what people thought of the city from a culture and tourism perspective. Following on from that we also spoke to Armagh heroine-historian and tour guide, Donna Fox.
Donna who has been a registered Blue Badge Level 4 guide and a member of the Northern Ireland Tourist Guide Association since 1997, followed her dream after a period of travelling and working abroad which inspired her to work with visitors to her own country. From ‘Unearthing Macha’ to her insights into Georgian Armagh, many have had the pleasure of a stroll through the city with her over the years.
Donna said, "visitors always remark on how beautiful this city is, admiring a wonderful range of architecture within a conservation area, we have wide open spaces, a beautiful large public park, The Mall, in the city centre, as well as parks located on the periphery of Armagh. It has be be said, that we have some of the friendliest people you will ever meet"
Armagh Jobs
We’re moving our Jobs to a dedicated newsletter email alerts! Get new job listings sent directly to your inbox when listed with Armagh Jobs as well as up-to-date content on what’s happening in the recruitment world.
In a previous newsletter we spoke of the new residents’ guide for the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough and also posed questions around our iconic and much loved Armagh Gaol. Read that Newsletter here
Previous editions:
South Armagh: The once poor relation now an area thriving following investment
Craigavon, where does it fit in, what happened to the 1960's vision?...
How safe is getting home after a night out in Co. Armagh?
World Book Day Quiz Answers
Well done to everyone who took part in our World Book Day Quiz last week. Out of 256 entries only 10 people achieved full marks! Check how you fared - the answers are below:
Lord of the Flies; 2. Slaughterhouse Five; 3. Lolita; 4. Charlotte’s Web; 5. Wuthering Heights; 6. The Shining; 7. Moby Dick; 8. To Kill A Mockingbird; 9. Of Mice and Men; 10. Jane Eyre; 11. Ulysses; 12. Thursday Murder Club; 13. George’s Marvelous Medicine; 14. 1984; 15. Blood Meridian.