To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail current contractual arrangements in place for provision of bus shelters in terms of (i) installation of new shelters; and (ii) maintenance of current shelters.

Bus shelters are either owned by my Department or local councils. In 2015, the Department requested that Translink take over the management of its stock of approximately 1,400 bus shelters.

(i) Translink manages ongoing requests for new bus shelters on behalf of my Department. These requests are reviewed by Translink Operational Teams and if the potential site falls within their policy for new shelters, a site estimate will be developed and planning application submitted. Should planning be approved and the cost estimate for erecting a shelter in this location be reasonable, it will be entered into the capital programme. Should the site requested not meet the requirements of the policy for a new shelter, then there is always the option for a local council to provide funding itself, should it consider the case merits such investment and ongoing maintenance.

(ii) Translink on behalf of the Department has engaged a contractor who is responsible for cleaning and maintaining the bus shelters, including repairing vandalism. This contract also provides for the installation of new or replacement bus shelters where required.