2 November 2007

Dear Colleagues,

Congratulations to Central Station and everyone who works there (directly or indirectly). Central is officially the best station!

On Wednesday at the International Rail Station Awards hosted by Northern Rail in York, Central picked up the award for best large station. On top of that it won the award for best station overall from all the categories.

These awards were started last year by us, Irish Rail and Northern Rail in GB. This year First TransPennine and NS (Netherlands Railways) also got involved. All operators nominate one location each in the small, medium and large stations categories. A winner is chosen for each category and then an overall winner.

We also nominated Carrickfergus and Coleraine in the other two categories – we didn’t win these but well done to all colleagues at these two locations for making it to the final!

What is different about these awards is that they are judged by people who work in stations for each of the operators. They look at every aspect of customer service as well as cleanliness, facilities, signage, etc. – everything that passengers experience as they pass through the station.

There are actually very few divisions in Translink which have not contributed to the service passengers experience as they use Central Station – so congratulations to you all.

Also hot of the press, last night in London we had success in the Rail Engineering Apprentice of the Year Awards when two of our young apprentices swept the board with Clare Jameson taking first place and Neil McCluskey taking the runner up prize in these prestigious awards – congratulations must also be extended to both of you.

As I have said before – what we do can be as good as anyone else – even the very best. These are the standards we set ourselves.

Philip O'Neill,

Acting Chief Executive

What we do can be as good as anyone else - even the very best. These are the standards we set ourselves.