12 September 2008

Dear Colleagues,

It goes without saying that keeping our stations clean, tidy and welcoming is hugely important for our customers.  It is for this reason we take part in a few partnerships which help us to keep our facilities among the best.
 
We have supported Ulster in Bloom for 10 years and yesterday we announced this year’s winners.   The entries from our own stations show our real commitment to the communities we serve. 
 
Well done to Dungannon, Derry and Newcastle who won 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes in the Floral Station Award - all bus stations this year!  Congratulations also to Carnalea , Whitehead and Greenisland – 1st,  2nd and 3rd in the Community Rail Halt category.
 
This week we welcomed judges representing the International (rail) Station Awards. They visited our nominated stations of Belfast Central, Bangor and Carrickfergus. All aspects of the train stations including their facilities, presentation, and customer service levels were under scrutiny.   We all hope we can continue our success from last year.

On Monday the Regional Development Minister, Conor Murphy MP MLA officially opened the new buscentre in Lisburn.  It is a superb facility in the centre of the city and has had a great response from the citizens and customers alike.

The new £2.8 million buscentre was opened on time and on budget and was funded by the Department for Regional Development and European Union Structural Funds – we are grateful for their support.

…and it was entirely appropriate that we used this event to launch our new Passenger’s Charter which clearly sets out the (high) standards our customers can expect from us.  Giving our customers the quality of service they want is what has made us the success we are. 

Catherine Mason,

Group Chief Executive