22 October 2008:
Translink launched its new and improved school safety bus today (October 22) in a special event that was attended by Transport Minister Conor Murphy MP MLA and Group Chief Executive of NITHC and Translink Catherine Mason.
The award-winning initiative which educates young people on safe behaviour on or near buses has been revamped and fitted out with more special features as it prepares to embark on another tour of schools and communities all across Northern Ireland.
Group Chief Executive of NITHC and Translink Catherine Mason said:
“We work hard to keep school transport safe and comfortable and the Translink School Safety Bus plays a very important role in clearly communicating our safety messages. More than 150,000 young people have enjoyed a visit from the safety bus in the past six years and over 25,000 are expected to climb onboard during this academic year.
“The new safety bus offers a wide range of enhanced facilities and features including: eye-catching exterior graphics reflecting the diversity of Translink passengers; onboard safety signage; improved access for those with disabilities; real-time CCTV; a new destination screen and widescreen monitors for multi-media presentations as well as comfortable onboard seating. These improvements will help our School Safety Officers to engage even more effectively with pupils”
Speaking about the success of the initiative, Translink Safety Officer Susan O’Neill said:
“The Safety Team works closely with each school and tailors every visit to suit any particular safety issues it may be facing. Our visits provide information on personal safety while using public transport, the potential impact of anti-social behaviour and also helps reinforce the key messages of safety-related campaigns as well as a range of interagency, community development and youth divisionary work initiatives.
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Transport Minister Conor Murphy MP MLA said:
“With more than 65,000 pupils using public transport to get to and from school safely every day, it is important to educate our young people on the importance of behaving responsibly onboard buses and respecting other passengers. The safety bus is an excellent and effective way of engaging with young people and the improvements that have been made to the facility will make key safety messages more memorable. I would like to congratulate the Translink Safety Bus Team on the new bus and on their dedication to bringing this very unique service to as many schools as possible.”
For further information or to book a visit from the Translink School Safety Bus call 028 9030 1732 or click www.translink.co.uk.
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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