21st June 2006
Quality Bus Corridor Network Confirmed for Greater Belfast
The regeneration of public transport in Northern Ireland is well underway but continuing re-investment and greater bus priorities are needed to deliver a network for the future.
Pictured at the launch of Translink Future from left to right are: Translink Chief Executive, Keith Moffatt, Translink Chairman, Veronica Palmer, OBE and General Consumer Council Chief Executive, Eleanor Gill.
This was the message from Translink Chief Executive, Keith Moffatt, at the launch today (19 June) of the organisation’s annual review and future operational plans – Translink Future – at an event in Stormont attended by representatives from all political parties, senior Departmental representatives, regional councils and public transport stakeholders across NI.
Mr. Moffatt outlined that the public were seeing real improvements in bus and rail services, leading to significantly increased passenger numbers. He confirmed that to continue improving networks and services the support of the public and politicians was needed to secure the funding for future investments.
In particular, he praised the agreement which had been reached with the Roads Service and Department for Regional Development (DRD) for the creation of a major Quality Bus Corridor network for the Greater Belfast area along 14 core routes. With a projected delivery time-scale of up to four years, the rollout is expected to commence towards the end of 2006 with work beginning on a Saintfield Road ‘SuperQBC’ priority corridor.
"We are now half-way through the timeframe of the Government’s Regional Transport Strategy 2002-2012 (RTS), with some significant improvements in public transport now successfully delivered,” said Keith Moffatt.
“Metro in Belfast now carries over 10% more passengers from its launch in February last year and Goldline Express services have grown by more than 20%; further improvements are also being made across the wider Ulsterbus network as part of a strategic review being implemented over the next three years.
Pictured at the launch of Translink Future from left to right are: Translink Chief Executive, Keith Moffatt, David McDonald, chair of the Omnibus Partnership and Michael Lorimer, secretary of Inclusive Mobility and Transport Advisory Committee (IMTAC).
It was also a significant year for rail services, he continued:
“All 23 new trains went into service in 2005, accompanied by a programme of improvements to the timetables, station improvements and customer service. As a result, a 16% growth in use of the new train services on the Bangor –Belfast – Portadown corridor was achieved within eight months.
“Success of the new trains assists us in making a case to Government for funding to replace the class 450 trains and expand the fleet; a business case is being developed to be submitted to the Government’s Comprehensive Spending Review 2007.
“Going forward, there is still much to be done to deliver the rail and bus services that NI needs and deserves. The programme of change must continue and by being clear about what needs to be done and with a solid track record of successful delivery, Translink is well placed to make a sound case to Government for implementing policies which will help us deliver the public transport future for Northern Ireland.”
Pictured from left to right are Joanne Jennings, Belfast City Centre Management, Dave Pennick, President of Belfast Chamber of Commerce, Translink Chairman, Veronica Palmer, OBE, Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Wallace Browne and Bryan Gray, chief executive, Northern Ireland Retail Traed Association (NIIRTA).
Concluding, Translink Chairman, Veronica Palmer OBE, said
“Overall, the enhancements made across our bus and rail services – made possible by significant Government investment – are paying dividends. Translink passengers are enjoying better reliability, comfort and accessibility, with customer satisfaction levels at a 10-year high. This is attracting more passengers onto public transport in line with the Government’s Regional Transport Strategy and the Belfast Metropolitan Transport Plan 2015.”
Ends
For further information please contact Dana McCusker/Keelin Haughey at Morrow Communications. Tel: 028 9039 3837.
Notes to Editors
The Translink Future strategy document is organised around five broad themes or objectives, which relate to the Government’s Regional Transportation Strategy 2012 (RTS). They are:
1. Safety
Translink is committed to providing a safe transport system for bus and rail staff, passengers and the wider public.
With significant investment in the Safety Development Programme nearing completion, involving expenditure of £200M (including new rail track relaying and commissioning of new vehicles on rail and bus networks), Translink has also invested in improved safety at rail crossings, improved staff training and various public safety message campaigns. These investments and initiatives are ongoing.
2. Better bus services
Passenger numbers have grown significantly throughout Translink’s bus operations, outperforming operations in many parts of Great Britain and reversing years of decline. Translink is committed to continued improvements to various bus networks and their attractiveness to passengers.
Significant new fleet investment was made possible by the Government’s commitment in 2004 of £48.4M, and this saw 215 new coaches and buses entering service during 2005/06, including:
60 Goldline single deck buses
10 Goldline fully accessible double deck coaches (the first of their kind in UK and Ireland)
60 double deck buses for Metro
60 Optare Solo mid buses for Ulsterbus
Goldline – As new Goldline vehicles were brought on stream, service enhancements were enabled. This incorporated increased frequency on key routes including a half hourly service between Newry and Dublin and a 15-minute peak service between Belfast and Derry. Such developments have seen passenger numbers grow by 20% to date.
Metro – While Belfast’s Metro service has proved a huge success during its first year in operation (showing a 10% increase in passengers), the service now requires an improved bus priority programme which is central to delivering faster journeys and providing greater frequency.
With a target of 5-10 minute frequencies on all 12 metro corridors, Translink is committed to working with Roads Service and other key government partners to make this possible through the creation and delivery of 14 Quality Bus Corridors. This will also compliment the current Belfast City Council and DSD “public realm” project.
Ulsterbus – Building on the success of Goldline and Metro, Translink is rolling out an improvement programme for Ulsterbus services modernising the network through local area plans. The first outworking of this was the Coleraine area plan which introduced new vehicles, enhanced service frequency and improved customer accessibility and information.
E-Way – The first stage in Belfast Area Rapid Transport – included in the Belfast Metropolitan Transport Plan – is an E-Way corridor as part of an integrated public transport network. Translink believes E-Way is an ideal pilot scheme which can integrate well with the ongoing Metro development programme and with government funding and approval could be delivered within five years.
3. Better Rail Services – While 2005/06 saw a number of major improvements to rail travel in NI marked by improved passenger numbers, Translink is committed to delivering a rail service which is recognised as the best in the UK and Ireland.
Plans are being developed for further modernisation and expansion of the network, including for the Larne line, making the case to increase rail capacity, replace the Class 450 trains, and potentially increase fleet size. These proposals are outlined in our “New Trains 2010” project document.
While dependent on a successful application under the Government’s Comprehensive Spending Review 2007, Translink is confident that it can make a strong case for further investment based on solid performance and improved passenger numbers.
The company is also working on an outline ‘Vision 2020’ with Irish Rail for a high speed rail service to Dublin with departures every hour and a 90 minute non-stop journey time.
4. Integration – Translink recognises that integration must be at the heart of its operations. Passengers want a public transport system that is integrated. This means much more than buses and trains connecting, but also involves common information sources, integrated ticketing and well organised interchanges. Translink has plans in place to address all of these important areas.
5. Stewardship and Efficiency – Effective stewardship and management of assets is recognised by Translink as a vital element of their remit in delivering a superior public transport system. Translink continued to deliver value for money and ensure projects are delivered on time an on budget.
Regional Transportation Strategy 2002-2012 (RTS)
The vision of the RTS is “to have a modern sustainable safe transportation system which benefits society, the economy and the environment and which actively contributes to social inclusion and everyone’s quality of life.” It sets out specific public transport targets/programmes to be delivered by 2012. Translink lays out its achievements against these specific targets within the Translink Future document, available on request from Monday 19 June.
Belfast Metropolitan Transport Plan 2015 (BMTP)
The BMTP is consistent with the RTS and takes forward its initiatives, specifically setting transport proposals for the Belfast Metropolitan Area. It sets out specific public transport initiatives and targets to be delivered by 2015. Translink lays out its achievements against these specific targets within the Translink Future document, available on request from Monday 19 June.
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