10a bus withdrawn from Glen Road and Glenbank Road in the evenings until Monday

SDLP Foyle MLA Sinéad McLaughlin has condemned the latest attacks on Translink services in Derry, which left one passenger showered with broken glass and led to temporary changes to bus services in Ballymagroarty.

Ms McLaughlin said: “I am deeply concerned by yet another reckless and dangerous attack on our public transport services. While I am relieved that no drivers or passengers were seriously physically harmed, the trauma caused- including to one passenger who was showered with broken glass cannot be ignored. These attacks are completely unacceptable and must stop.”

“It is reported that a group of young males were involved. I urge them to think very carefully about the consequences of their actions, not just for themselves, but for their families, their neighbours, and the many people who rely on public transport every single day. Their behaviour is not only criminal, it is harmful to the very community they live in.”

“It is deeply regrettable that Translink has had to take the decision to suspend part of the evening 10a service to and from Ballymagroarty until Monday. From Monday to Saturday, the 20:40 and 21:40 services from Foyle Street will no longer serve Glen Road or Glenbank Road. The same applies to return services from Ballymagroarty at 21:00 and 21:55.”

“No driver should be afraid to do their job. No passenger should feel unsafe stepping onto a bus. I would encourage all parents and guardians to speak to their children about the serious impact this behaviour is having. We all have a role to play in keeping our communities safe and protecting the services we depend on.”
A Translink spokesperson said: “Due to anti-social behaviour in the Ballymagroarty area, Foyle Metro 10a services at 8.40pm and 9.40pm will be withdrawn from Glen Road and Glenbank Road until Monday, May 19.

“This also applies to the return journeys from Ballymagroarty at 9.00pm and 9.55pm.

“Safety is always our top priority and we condemn all acts of vandalism and anti-social behaviour.

“We will continue to monitor the situation and keep in close liaison with the PSNI Neighbourhood Policing Teams, the Safe Transport Team and community representatives, and we encourage anyone who witnesses such incidents to report them to Translink, Crimestoppers or PSNI.

“We also operate a reward scheme, which pays out up to £1,000 to anyone who witnesses and gives evidence of any incident of anti-social behaviour or vandalism that results in a successful conviction.”

Derry City and Strabane District Councillor Shaun Harkin (People Before Profit) said he had been contacted by Translink representatives on Thursday regarding the incident.

He added: "They have informed me that the 10a bus won't be serving Glen Road and Glenbank Road in the evenings until Monday (May 19) because of a series of attacks on buses.

"Windows have been smashed, terrifying busdrivers and passengers. This is a travesty.

"We extend our solidarity to the workers and members of the public who have been impacted. We need our public bus services. We need workers to be able to do their work without fear.

"People depend on buses for work, for caring responsibilities, for school, and all sorts of other needs. Public transport keeps people safe.

Disrupting the service costs people money and means some people will struggle to travel. We all appeal to those involved in the attacks on the buses to stop," said Cllr Harkin.

Police received a report on Wednesday, May 14 of criminal damage caused to a bus in Derry which is reported to have had windows smashed the previous evening, Tuesday, May 13 as it was travelling along Glenbank Road.

Anyone with information should call 101, quote reference 698 of 14/05/25, or submit a report via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org/.