Transport Act (Northern Ireland) 1967

The Transport Act (Northern Ireland) 1967 was a piece of legislation enacted by the Parliament of Northern Ireland. Its primary purpose was to reorganize and streamline the public transport system within Northern Ireland.

Key aspects of the Act included:

• Establishment of the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company (NITHC): This company was created to hold the assets of the Ulster Transport Authority (UTA), which was effectively dissolved by the Act. The NITHC was tasked with overseeing public transport operations and acting as a holding company for subsidiary companies.

• Formation of Subsidiary Companies: The Act facilitated the creation of subsidiary companies focused on specific areas of transport, such as bus services and railways. This aimed to improve efficiency and accountability. Ulsterbus and Northern Ireland Railways (NIR) were subsequently established as key operating companies.

• Rationalization of Rail Network: The Act allowed for the closure of less economically viable railway lines. This resulted in a significant reduction in the overall size of the railway network in Northern Ireland.

• Financial Provisions: The Act outlined financial arrangements for the reorganized transport system, including provisions for government subsidies and grants to support services.

The Transport Act (Northern Ireland) 1967 represented a major overhaul of the region's transport infrastructure and aimed to modernize and improve the efficiency of public transport services. Its legacy includes the current structure of public transport in Northern Ireland, with Ulsterbus and Northern Ireland Railways continuing to provide essential services.