Translink Press Release:All New Ulsterbus Foyle Service Takes To the Roads
All-new Ulsterbus Foyle service takes to the roads
4 September 2006
Today (4 September) marked the beginning of a new era in bus transport in Derry City with the introduction of the all-new Ulsterbus Foyle service.
Incorporating a fleet investment by Translink of over £5million, the North West bus service has been transformed to deliver more frequent services, modern, low-floor accessible vehicles and a simplified network of 13 key routes * which has been extended to include Strathfoyle and Newbuildings.
“Like Belfast City’s Metro system, the new Ulsterbus Foyle service is not simply a change of vehicle livery and bus stop signs. These are simply outward signs of more fundamental, customer-focussed improvements which have been introduced,” explained local Ulsterbus District Manager, Alan Young.
“Ulsterbus Foyle has been developed for ease of use and brings a number of changes to service numbers, routes and departure points. New, simplified clock face timetables are now in place and punctuality and service frequencies have been improved on all routes across the city. In addition, we have improved passenger information with simple, easy to use colour-coded route maps and enhanced Sunday services in response to current shopping trends.
“We have also introduced Smartlink multi-journey cards for use on Derry City’s Ulsterbus Foyle services and on Limavady and Strabane Town services. Smartlink cards offer passengers a new, easy and economical way to pay for Ulsterbus services, allowing savings of at least 20% per journey and eliminating the need to carry cash,” he said.
Other key developments include new, Ulsterbus Foyle £1.20 day tickets offering unlimited travel, improved connections with other Ulsterbus and Goldline services, the provision of 1000 additional seats per day on the 212 Goldline Express service to Belfast and enhanced frequency on both Omagh and Dublin routes.
Speaking about the transition period Mr Young added: “We recognise that it takes time for passengers to get used to a new system but we are confident that once this happens they will enjoy using a much improved, more reliable and accessible service.
“Ulsterbus staff will be on hand to answer any passenger queries and to supply timetables for Ulsterbus Foyle and Londonderry Country services. Details of new route numbers can also be accessed by clicking on www.translink.co.uk, by contacting our call centre on 028 9066 6630 or by calling Translink’s Foyle depot on 028 7126 2261.”
Looking to the future Mr Young explained: “While much has been achieved there is still a lot to do. It is recognised that traffic congestion is a major cause of delay and following on from today’s introduction of the new Ulsterbus Foyle services, Translink will be working alongside Road Service and Derry City Council to address the current lack of bus priority measures such as bus lanes and permanent Park and Ride facilities. The introduction of these measures, together with their rigorous enforcement, will help deliver faster and more frequent services which will ultimately attract more passengers,“ he concluded.
For further information please contact Keelin Haughey or Dana McCusker at Morrow Communications on 028 9039 3837 / email k.haughey@morrowcommunications.com
- Notes to Editor
The redesign of Derry City and Londonderry Country’s bus services is part of Translink’s Ulsterbus Strategic Review, a three-year programme designed to attract passenger growth by providing a more efficient and effective service, and building on the early successes of Metro in Belfast and new improved Goldline services (11% and 20% growth respectively). - Translink’s £5.1million investment comprised 16 new low floor single deck vehicles (over £2m), 9 fully accessible Goldline coaches operating the 212 Maiden City Flyer (Derry – Belfast) service (£2m approx) and 7 double deck low floor buses (over £1.1m).
- As part of the Ulsterbus Strategic Review of Derry City and Londonderry Country services, Translink also plans to enhance country routes and to simplify and standardise Limavady and Strabane Town Services.
- A new Rural Transport funded service between Donemana & Plumbridge has been introduced.
- Ulsterbus Foyle passengers can pick up a new Smartlink card which can be loaded with between 10 and 40 journeys. From Monday 4 September to Thursday 30 November the initial £1.50 charge for Ulsterbus Foyle Smartlink cards will be removed, meaning customers only pay for their journeys.
- In the run up to the introduction of the new Ulsterbus Foyle service Translink engaged in a public information campaign, hosting two public meetings to offer passengers the opportunity to hear directly about the changes and put their questions to Translink managers.
- Ulsterbus Foyle’s 13 key routes are:
Strathfoyle Creggan
Nelson Drive Hazelbank
Knightsbridge Ballymagroarty Curryneirin Woodbrook
Gobnascale Slievemore
Newbuildings Sandbank
Lonemoor
- Old service numbers will be replaced with new service numbers as follows
|
|
Old |
New |
|
Altnagelvin |
DC01 |
FY4 / FY5 |
|
Ballymagroarty |
DC06 |
FY10 |
|
Creggan |
DC03 |
FY8 |
|
Curryneirin |
DC08 |
FY4 |
|
Gobnascale |
DC09 |
FY5 |
|
Hazelbank |
DC02 |
FY9 |
|
Kilfennan |
DC16 |
FY3/ED1 |
|
Knightsbridge (via Canterbury Park) |
- |
FY3 |
|
Lonemoor |
DC04 |
FY7 |
|
Nelson Drive |
DC07 |
FY2 |
|
Newbuildings |
- |
FY6 |
|
Sandbank |
DC17 |
FY13 |
|
Slievemore |
DC10 |
FY12 |
|
Strathfoyle |
- |
FY1 |
|
Woodbrook |
DC14 |
FY11 |
|
Drumahoe Easibus |
ED2 |
ED1 |
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