23 February 2007

Dear Colleagues,

This has been another busy week across the company, with new services to implement and legislation to consider, the input of colleagues across the company has been crucial to achieving this successfully.

The implementation of the latest stage of Ulsterbus Strategic Review (USR) has been welcomed in Armagh, Newry, Craigavon and Banbridge; passengers in these areas are now experiencing improved services while Downpatrick and Newcastle will be the next areas to benefit from USR.

Moving swiftly from USR to UCF, we also launched a joint ‘No Smoking’ venture with the Ulster Cancer Foundation as part of our overall campaign to meet both our legal and corporate social responsibilities in relation to smoking and the workplace. Two volunteers Richard Knox (NI Railways Operations Manager) and Maureen Agnew (Bus Driver) have signed up publicly to ‘give up’; top tips to help smokers quit will be available on the back of bus tickets and promotional cards.

In addition, new legislation relating to the usage of seatbelts will require our passengers to use seatbelts, where provided, when travelling on our bus and coach services from Monday. Posters and signage will provide public reminders but please also encourage passengers to ‘buckle up’; their safety as always is our highest priority.

So next week we’ll belt up, stub it out and avail of improved services in even more towns across Northern Ireland!

Philip O'Neill

Acting Chief Executive

with new services to implement and legislation to consider, the input of colleagues across the company has been crucial