Glider buses driving us round the bend

BENDY buses are now rampant on the Upper Newtownards Road and the Falls. Their introduction was a pain for local residents because the footpath was removed and replaced. The road was also closed unpredictably at weekends, with other irregular lane closures often catching out rush-hour traffic.

One reason for the time taken was the necessity to dig up and replace substantial parts of the work which had been badly done.

We consoled ourselves with the thought that all would be well when the work was finished. We anticipated a slick service to the city centre and across town.

However, the new bus from Dundonald is slower to the city centre than the previous, limited-stop service. The new buses take up more road space and have fewer seats than the double-deckers they replaced and have more room for standing. No wonder in Ballymacarrett they are called “sardine buses”.

Many bus seats are raised above the floor, making access difficult for the elderly and disabled. There are lower seats, though some face sideways, meaning sitters rock with each start and stop.

Many of the raised double seats face each other so closely as to be in your face. This also makes dismounting in a crowded bus quite difficult. Other seats face backwards, which is not a preferred option for most folk. You only have to watch as the bus fills to see this.

Informal discussion with many other passengers gives a uniformly negative verdict.

I believe the Glider service is to be extended to north/ south Belfast. I don’t imagine those directly affected will be asked for their opinions. No one in east or west Belfast was so consulted. Is it too late to think again?

CATHERINE AND LEWIS MILLER Belfast