To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail plans to adapt public transport provision to reflect a likely permanent increase in remote working following the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is evident that COVID-19 has had a severe impact on our public transport service and is reflected in the suppressed passenger numbers being experienced by Translink. This is expected as the NI Executive Recovery Plan to COVID-19 continues to promote working from home which impacts on our commuter services. As we move through the Recovery Plan, we are slowly seeing an increase in passenger numbers and my focus is to continue to ensure that our public transport network has sufficient capacity to facilitate social distancing with appropriate mitigations to ensure the safety of passengers and staff. In line with this, I secured Executive agreement to make face coverings mandatory on our public transport network from 10th July 2020, adding an additional layer of protection for passengers and staff from covid 19.

In respect of future plans for public transport, it is too early to determine what the long term impact of COVID-19 will be on our public transport network. However I can confirm that my officials and Translink will continue to analyse passenger demand with a view to responding to increased demand and informing future plans for our network. Whilst COVID 19 has changed the context within which we operate, my priority remains to deliver increased connectivity with a clear focus on public transport and active travel. In addition to planning for the future, that requires immediate action to respond to the unprecedented impact of COVID 19 on passenger numbers and the financial viability of our public transport network and I welcome the commitment of Executive colleagues in this regard.