22 October 2008:
Pupils and teaching staff at Coláiste Feirste in West Belfast joined forces with Translink today (October 22) to launch a range of new Irish language passenger materials.
Special guests including Transport Minister Conor Murphy MP MLA, local MP & MLA Gerry Adams and Group Chief Executive of NITHC and Translink Catherine Mason attended the launch which unveiled a series of new Irish language material including: bus-shelter timetable and route information; a ‘Bus Rules for Safety’ leaflet and poster targeting school children; a ‘See Belfast by Metro’ guide to the city’s main landmarks and attractions and a ‘Travelling with Translink: Guide to Using Public Transport in Northern Ireland’ including bus and railway route maps.
Speaking at the launch, NITHC and Translink Group Chief Executive Catherine Mason said:
“These new Irish language resources form part of Translink’s overall drive to provide passenger materials in languages most useful to our customers. They will help us to communicate important information to both local and visiting Irish language speakers and to provide easier access to our services. In particular, the ‘Bus Rules for Safety’ guide reflects the growing numbers of children travelling on our services to Irish speaking schools and this new eye-catching resource will help to raise pupil awareness on the importance of travelling in a safe and respectful manner.”
Transport Minister Conor Murphy MP MLA said:
“We are committed to providing an accessible public transport service that caters for the needs and preferences of the entire community, including the Irish speaking community. These new materials are an important step in communicating with all public transport passengers across the North and recognise the importance of linguistic diversity that can be found here. With growing numbers of tourists coming to the North, the new resources also help to demonstrate our rich cultural heritage."
The new Irish language materials are available in Irish speaking schools as well as community, leisure and tourism centres across the Gaeltacht Quarter of West Belfast. For further information click www.translink.co.uk or call 028 9066 6630.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
LAUNCH EVENT – Media invited to attend.
- Date Wednesday 22nd October 2008
- Time 10.00 – 11.00am
- Venue Coláiste Feirste, 51-87 Beechview Park, Fall Road, Belfast
- Available for media interview/photocall: Transport Minister Conor Murphy MP MLA, NITHC & Translink Group Chief Executive Catherine Mason, Translink School Bus Safety Officers, School Principal and pupils.
Translink’s Safety Bus is dedicated to visiting primary and secondary schools in order to highlight safety issues associated with the use of public transport and includes a range of onboard DVD presentations, education packs, props and talks by enthusiastic Safety Officers .
School Safety Bus Programme schedule:
- September to December: 1st year induction programme (Key Stage 2)
- January to June: ‘Be Safe’ Initiative for Year 7.
The bus is also manned by an Irish-speaking safety officer when visiting any Irish speaking schools.
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