Public transport use increase in Northern Ireland

More and more people are using public transport in Northern Ireland and helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the country, a new study has shown.


Data released by the Central Statistics and Research Branch (CSRB) of the Department for Regional Development showed that the weekly average rail passenger miles increased 10%, rising from 3.36m in October to December of 2006 to 3.71m in the last quarter of 2007.

In addition, between October and December last year, there were 19.66m public bus passenger journeys.

However, the figures also showed that car use continued to rise, with 9,349 new cars registered during the quarter.

As a result, 205,731 tonnes of petrol and diesel were delivered for use in Northern Ireland, representing a 5% rise on the tonnage delivered during the final quarter of 2006.

Recently, the Irish Independent reported that a study by the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association had claimed that eco taxes introduced in Ireland could force car manufacturers to distort prices.

James Cooper

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