CHANGES TO the local bus timetable being implemented this week, and highlighted in an article in the Larne Gazette a fortnight ago, are continuing to cause concern amongst commuters. As we reported, one local resident highlighted alterations made to bus routes in the harbour district, alterations which it was feared would deprive some of easy access to public transport. Now Ted Geary's comments have been echoed by those of another Larne resident in a different area of the town. Indeed, it has been claimed that the potential difficulties we highlighted may constitute merely the "tip of the iceberg" when it comes to the situation facing those who use local bus services. Fred Andrews, in a letter sent to the Gazette recently, expressed solidarity with Mr Geary and harbour residents before going on to express his concerns regarding the new timetable brought in on Monday 28th April. Mr Andrews commented, "I have every sympathy with the sentiments expressed by Mr Geary. "Unfortunately the information on timetable changes within the Larne area is only being released bit by bit and the Harbour problem is only the tip of the iceberg. "For instance I was not aware of the changes to the Harbour times until I saw it in the Gazette. "However I did receive in my letterbox details of the changes to the Goldline Express Service 256 to and from Belfast." He gave the details of these as follows: "From 28th April this service does not include Linn Road or Antiville Estate between 10.00am to 4.00pm Monday to Friday, 9.30 am to 3.00pm on Saturday and not at all on Sundays. "The situation is similar on the return journey. "At peak times the service does include the Antiville/Linn Road."

Pricing policy

And, as Ted Geary had already done, he criticised Ulsterbus' pricing policy in light of these changes: "Is Ulsterbus trying to make more money by forcing customers to pay extra fares to get to the bus station in order to make the connection. "Allowing for transfer times from the Main Street to the Bus Station this can add up to an hour for a return journey to Belfast as well as over £2 to the fare. "This in effect would appear to be a hidden fare increase." Ted Geary had claimed that certain areas of the harbour would now be removed from the route and this would cause problems for a number of bus users. He was concerned that pensioners and parents of young children, amongst others, would be particularly affected. Fred Andrews identified similar difficulties in his part of town, difficulties made worse by further development in the district. He stated, " There are growing developments along the Killyglen Road will mean that more and more people will want to travel by bus to Belfast. "These areas are not even served by the town bus service." A further point of agreement between the two residents was a perceived lack of consultation on the issue, Ted Geary exclaiming "Where are our councillors?" "Does not seem to have been any consultation" In his letter, Fred Andrews commented, "There does not seem to have been any consultation either with public representatives or with residents of the town itself. "Is this another case of a public service not providing a service to suit the public but to suit themselves?" The Larne Gazette contacted Council and Translink at the time of Mr Geary's remarks to get their reaction to the trouble over timetables. A spokesperson for the latter described how changes in the harbour area were part of a review to "improve local Ulsterbus services in the Larne area. "This is in order to better service the local community overall." A Larne Borough Council spokesperson told us that Ulsterbus had submitted a programme detailing changes, that receipt of this document had been noted and agreement reached to discuss it at a future Transport Sub-Committee meeting. An Ulsterbus representative had also been invited to address Council on this issue. We also contacted Translink this week to get a response to these latest comments regarding services in the Antiville area. However, no statement was available at time of going to press.

LARNE GRAMMAR School has joined with a number of other schools across the province who have said they are backing the AQE transfer test. The 31 schools, including Larne Grammar's East Antrim neighbours Carrickfergus Grammar and Ballyclare High, last week announced that they were creating a company to run the new transfer test for students. This Association for Quality Education test has been proposed to fill what many clearly regard as a void left after removal of the 11-plus. The move has been accompanied by sharp criticism of Education Minister Catriona Ruane, her policy, seeming confusion over this policy and her response to the schools which have rallied in support of a new test system. The effect of such perceived confusion upon pupils, parents and teachers alike has also come in for hostile attention from various political representatives. However, the Minister was holding to her position last week and delivering her own criticisms of the move, warning of the possible legal appeals that could be mounted if the AQE test was brought in. Other politicians have rallied in support of the group of schools concerned. Amongst their supporters are East Antrim MP and Assembly education committee chairman Sammy Wilson, the latter welcoming the stand these schools have taken. He believed the group were right to oppose the Minister and seek to give parents certainty, and choice, regarding transfer plans at post-primary level. The MP also offered characteristically robust criticism of the Minister's stance, her reaction to the group's decision to get behind the AQE and those who had raised doubts over the viability of the new test itself. This test is designed to measure the numeracy and literacy of pupils. Support for a test seemed to have been indicated during a series of public meetings held over the past few weeks and attended by the MP. Sammy Wilson recently joined with party colleague Alistair Ross MLA at one such event in Larne Leisure Centre, an event during which they answered questions on post primary transfer. Following the well-attended meeting, one of a series held across Northern Ireland, and foreshadowing remarks he made in the wake of last week's developments, Sammy Wilson described the "uncertainty about post primary transfer" that had led to his party's decision to go ahead with the meetings. He said the Minister's "indecision and delaying tactics" were causing pupils, teachers and parents "huge stress and uncertainty." The MP dismissed ministerial claims of consultation and urged Catriona Ruane to "cooperate with the other parties so that consensus can be reached and the fears of parents, teachers and pupils put at ease." But, as the 31 schools made their move last week, and the Minister voiced her opposition, consensus appeared to have been sent to the back of the class.

THE Colts, sponsored by The Olderfleet, Under 13 played three matches in five days, the result of which was elimination from the Plate competition but progress to the semi-final of the knock-out cup. Against local rivals Larne Youth, the Colts were level at three goals apiece, Darren Tennant with two and Robert Watson scoring their goals, before eventually conceding three further goals to eliminate them from the Plate competition. They then travelled to the Valley for their final game in the Plate and went ahead in the first few minutes; Odhran Kemp, Craig Bailie and Jamie Magill combining to send Darren Tennant clear to fire home. Ballysillan tried to catch the Colts offside but they paid for this risky tactic as speed king Reece McGinley scored no fewer than five times when one-on-one with the keeper after being played through by Dylan McRandal, Thomas McDowell, Jordan Weir, Robert Watson and Thomas Spence. Although Ballysillan pulled a goal back, David Hunter scored for the Colts to make it 7-1 in their favour at the break. Despite near misses in the second half from David Christie, Johnny McCurdy, Diarmaid Orderley, Mark Nesbitt and a disallowed goal from Jamie The Colts left the most dramatic game of the three to the last as the played Comber Rec. in the quarter final of the Cup. The Larne side's defence of Thomas McDowell, Jordan Weir, Craig Bailie and Odhran Kemp were kept busy and it was no surprise when Comber opened the scoring. The Colts came back strongly and a nice move involving David Hunter, Robert Watson and Reece McGinley saw McGinley fouled in the penalty area with Watson converting the penalty. Comber went ahead again and all seemed lost when they were awarded a penalty themselves but Colts keeper Dylan McRandal saved it. Into the second half, and a through ball from Johnny McCurdy found McGinley and his cross was headed in by Darren Tennant. Yet again, Comber went ahead only for Watson to score from a free kick from a tight angle to take the game into extra time. In keeping with what went before, Comber again took the lead but a Jamie Millar pass found Jamie Magill on the left wing and he cut inside and fired home to make it 4-4 after extra time. So to penalties, where the Colts kept their nerve as Watson, Bailie, McGinley and Magill scored to secure a 4-3 win.