New Buses On Order
20 April 2005
Translink has placed orders for 190 new buses - the first to be ordered as part of the £48.4 million government investment announced by Stephen Quinn, Permanent Secretary for the Department of Regional Development in December 2004.
Pictured at the announcement, from left to right are Chris Wise, Optare, Jim Newman, Scania, Billy Gilpin, Central Area Network Manager, Translink and John Gailey, Volvo.
“We are extremely pleased to announce initial details of this major order for the bus fleet of Northern Ireland”, explained Philip O’Neill, Translink General Manager, (Bus Services). “This investment is great news for our passengers. Quality buses are an essential part of any journey and the introduction of these new modern buses demonstrates our commitment towards delivering a quality public transport system for everyone.”
“Their timely arrival will also play a key role in delivering the growth targets for the bus companies as set out in the Regional Transportation Strategy”.
“Over the next three years, the investment will contribute to the purchase of 350 new buses, with 200 due for delivery in early 2006. This will also have a significant impact on reducing average bus fleet age”.
“To date we have placed orders for 60 Goldline single deck vehicles, being manufactured by Scania Irizar, 60 Mini buses are being manufactured by Optare and Volvo Alexander will manufacture and supply 70 double decker buses; 60 for Metro and 10 for Ulsterbus. We are currently out to tender for over 120, 12-metre, low floor vehicles for town and city services across Northern Ireland.
“All vehicles are Northern Ireland Disability Discrimination Act compliant and both the double decker and mini buses are low floor models, which allow much easier access for the disabled, older people, and families travelling with young children. At this point we expect to tender and place orders for more vehicles in late 2005.”
Mr O’Neill added, “Fitted with features like digital CCTV, anti-lock brakes and air-conditioning these state of the art buses will have a significant impact in the delivery of a modern, safe, high quality public transport system.”
“The investment will compliment the recent operational changes introduced to modernise the Goldline and Belfast bus networks. I am positive that our bus passengers will be impressed with the enhanced quality and levels of comfort that these new vehicles will offer.”
Mr O’Neill concluded by emphasising, “The effective implementation and enforcement of bus priority measures is crucial in the delivery of faster and more frequent services. To this end we will continue to work in partnership with roads service to establish a Quality Bus Corridor programme to complement the new bus network in Belfast. The investment coupled with better bus priorities will enable Translink to focus on, and deliver an attractive alternative which will ultimately attract more passengers.”
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