Press Releases - News - Translink
Belfast Has Lost That ‘Friday Feeling’ – Metro Vows To Bring It Back!
30th July 2008:
Pictured throwing off her jacket and briefcase and getting ready to celebrate that Metro Friday feeling is Olivia Jennings.
Olivia has the Metro Fridays feeling!
Translink has announced the launch of ‘Metro Fridays’, an initiative to encourage even more people to travel to work by Metro on Fridays, and enjoy the freedom to have a drink or meal with friends after work, go shopping or catch the latest blockbuster. The move follows a poll on behalf of Metro which found that more than two thirds of people in Belfast believe that the ‘Friday feeling’ is on its way out, due to stress and financial worries. As an added incentive Metro has teamed up with Botanic Inns, the Streat, Odeon cinema, Nando’s and Pizza Hut to offer a range of offers to passengers with a valid Metro ticket. In addition, a new, promotional £1 single fare will be available after 7pm.
More than two thirds of people in Belfast believe that the ‘Friday feeling’, the carefree wind-down to the weekend, is on its way out, a poll on behalf of Metro, the city’s bus service has found.
The survey revealed that hard work and long hours, tiredness, stress and financial worries mean people are having difficulty switching off from work and are not enjoying Fridays as much as they used to.
Metro has launched a new, fun initiative – ‘Metro Fridays’ to help bring back the Friday feeling.
Translink’s Carol Marsden explains: “We want even more people to start enjoying the benefits of Metro by simply trying the service even just once a week. We have introduced a number of offers to help put the fun back into Fridays so people can enjoy the freedom to have a drink or meal with friends after work, go shopping or catch the latest blockbuster.
“Belfast is one of the most visited weekend destinations in Europe – a ‘hip, historical, happening’ city according to the popular Lonely Planet guide, so we were surprised to find that over 60% of those polled stay in Belfast after work less than once a month. With most Metro services operating up to 11pm providing easy access to the city’s new retail and leisure offerings such as Victoria Square, Odeon Cinema and its growing restaurant, bar and café scene, shopping and socialising in the city has never been easier or more fun.
“However we are aware that in the current economic climate, and as people struggle to maintain a healthy work-life balance, an active social life can be hard to achieve. While Metro already offers great value for money, a new, promotional £1 single fare will be available together with a range of extra leisure offers with a valid Metro ticket.
“On Fridays Metro bus users can get a free coffee all day from the Streat, discounted tickets for the new Odeon cinema, a free drink at selected Botanic Inns venues and special offers at Nando’s and Pizza Hut. Also free copies of the Belfast Telegraph’s ‘Weekend’ magazine will be given out to passengers in the city centre. In addition, each week a Cool FM DJ will play a 1-hour set in a Botanic Inns outlet to help people wind down and start their weekend.
“We hope that Metro Fridays will help people have more fun in the city, avoid the stress and hassles of driving and parking and make the most of the start of the weekend, without it costing the earth!”, concluded Carol.
For further information please contact Keelin Kelly at Morrow Communications on 028 9039 3837 or email k.kelly@morrowcommunications.com
Notes to Editor
Since introduction more people than ever are choosing to travel Metro. Over 500,000 people use Metro services every week, representing a 20% growth in patronage since launch in 2005.
Special offers on Fridays available from Friday 1 August to Friday 31 October:
· Odeon Cinema (Victoria Square) – Friday Cinema Ticket £4.50 – normal price £6.20
· Nando’s Restaurant (Victoria Square) – Free Bottomless Soft Drink with any meal
· Pizza Hut (Victoria Square and Dublin Road) – Free starter with any medium pizza
· The Streat Café (Belfast Cafés) – Free regular size coffee with any purchase
· Cool FM/Botanic Inns – Complimentary drink at selected Botanic Inns venues between 5pm and 7pm
· Belfast Telegraph – Free ‘Weekend’ Entertainment Supplement distributed on buses
· Metro £1 single fare - available after 7pm
Delicious
Digg
Reddit
Facebook
Stumbleupon