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.

Read the full story here

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.

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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

Police have released an image of a man they wish to speak to in relation to a report of a serious assault in the Commercial Road area of Banbridge on Sunday, October 2, 2022.

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

One of County Armagh’s most well-known and popular restaurants is to cease trading after more than 25 years in business.

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"

Read the full interview here

Armagh Jobs

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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

Armagh I Newsletter

What if Armagh Gaol was to be flattened to make way for free car park?

On Sunday evening we published an article on the ‘New Resident Guide’ launched which aims to assist people coming to live in the area. This came after we posed the question on social media ‘What to do with the Gaol (Armagh)...is it best served as a hotel or do you think there are other ways this building could be put to better use…

a month ago · 3 likes · Armagh I

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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.

Armagh I Newsletter

Price hikes all around us from our rates to…