Union flag protests cost £50,000 in lost bus fares: Translink 30 January 2013 Last updated at 13:48 About £50,000 worth of bus fares were lost through services cancelled because of loyalist union flag protests, Translink has said. Three vehicles damaged during rioting cost £112,600 to repair, the public transport company added. One driver was injured during an attempted hijacking in east Belfast. Loyalist street protests have being taking place since Belfast City Council voted to change its longstanding union flag policy on 3 December. Bus services have been diverted or cancelled due to rioting in some areas. A Translink statement said: "Our best estimate is that buses have lost circa £50,000 overall, although that is more pronounced in recent weeks." A spokesperson said there had not been an overall drop in numbers, except on Saturdays in Belfast when regular loyalist rallies have been held at Belfast City Hall. The company said Northern Ireland Railways revenue had increased because of the protests as passengers considered the train to be safer than the bus or car.