18 December 2002
Following the Budget announcement by Finance Minister Ian Pearson MP on 11 December 2002, Translink are set for an £80million public expenditure investment. The details of this significant programme to further boost Northern Ireland’s public transport system were outlined in a statement on 12 December by Angela Smith MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State and Minister responsible for Regional Development.
Speaking after yesterday’s meeting of the Board of the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company Chairman Joan Smyth CBE warmly welcomed the allocation for public transport, commenting, “The Minister is to be congratulated for delivering this substantial investment package for our bus and rail networks. This investment is an indication of the Government’s commitment to deliver quality public transport services in Northern Ireland, as outlined in the Regional Transportation Strategy published earlier this year, as endorsed by the Northern Ireland Assembly. I am confident that the investment will have a beneficial impact for the travelling public throughout Northern Ireland.”
Ted Hesketh, Translink’s Managing Director added, “this is excellent news, exciting times now lie ahead for Translink. I welcome the £40 million allocation for new bus purchases for Citybus (now Metro) and Ulsterbus, which will significantly improve the average fleet age. State of the art, modern vehicles are essential to attract and retain passengers.”
“In addition, NI Railways will receive an additional £40 million cash injection for railway upgrades in the core network. This will mean that railway infrastructure improvements and many other essential safety investments can proceed, subject to various approval processes. This will allow us to build on the solid progress already underway, most notably the delivery of 23 new trains which will be in operation from 2004 onwards. The next few years will truly see the beginning of a new era for the railways in Northern Ireland!"
Mr Hesketh continued, “I particularly commend the Government on its decisions to further extend the concessionary fares scheme to more people with disabilities and to invest further in rural transport. It is also significant that this statement establishes the principle of dedicated revenue subsidy for socially necessary bus routes. These are all an acknowledgement of the key role Public Transport has to play in enriching the communities in which we live and improving quality of life for all. This is a good day for public transport in Northern Ireland.
-ENDS-
Issued by: Sarah Stanczyk
Public Relations Officer
Tel: 028 9089 9455
Mob: 07711205436
Fax: 028 9089 9452
Email:sarah.stanczyk@translink.co.uk
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