PUBLIC bus service routes to two Co Antrim hospitals have been ended by Translink.
The 218 and 219 services between Belfast, Ballymena and Coleraine have stopped at the Causeway and Antrim Area Hospital since 2012, but now the two hospital sites are no longer accessible after a decision was taken by the company last month.
A charity has now stepped in to provide the cover using government funding.
North Coast Community Transport, which normally provides transport to isolated and vulnerable people in rural areas has stepped in to the breach, with funding from the social investment fund allowing the charity to provide the replacement service.
Translink has said the services no longer call at the hospitals because of low passenger numbers and that frequent services to the sites are available from Coleraine and Antrim bus stations.
It added that passengers using the 219 service that stopped at Antrim Area Hospital had requested a more direct express service.
