WORKING WITH STAKEHOLDERS

Opportunities for positive engagement have been significant during 2021, including an ongoing round of political party briefings held online, ‘in-person’ stakeholder engagement sessions relating to the Belfast Transport Hub (this focused on political stakeholders and business representative groups) and the return of political conferences after a prolonged absence as a result of the pandemic.

The viewpoint visits associated with the Belfast Transport Hub were particularly useful, as these helped to build a solid base of support and enhanced understanding of this major project. All main political parties represented in Belfast – DUP, SF, Alliance, SDLP, Green, PBP and UUP – were invited to participate, as were business organisations – Belfast Chamber, Belfast One BID and Linen Quarter BID. It is hoped to be able to facilitate a visit by the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce in the weeks ahead.

We have also worked with party Infrastructure spokespersons and policy staff to place public transport priorities at the heart of manifestoes for the forthcoming Northern Ireland Assembly elections and securing further support for effective public transport options.

Engagement has also been undertaken with party Assembly groups and this is ongoing.

We have also engaged with a wide range of business groups in relation to our new Better. Connected strategy (see below) and in the context of the Belfast Transport Hub, as well as rounds of ongoing engagement to keep them informed about Translink’s progress.

We have continued to work closely with environmental stakeholders and active travel organisations to promote a much-needed modal shift in transport habits and also work closely with IMTAC to ensure that people with disabilities are able to access public transport.

Translink consulted during summer 2021 with a wide range of stakeholders on our planned strategy document, ‘Better Connected’, which will inform the company’s priorities in the decade ahead. This received feedback from a range of bodies and organisations, including Sustrans, CCNI, Federation of Small Businesses, Climate NI and the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce. It is anticipated that the document will be published during 2022, setting the scene for Translink’s engagement in the coming year and beyond.

Translink will continue to work collaboratively with all relevant stakeholders, putting passengers at the heart of our transformational plans in order to help Northern Ireland recover and rebuild from the pandemic. We will also seek to further develop passenger journeys for the greater good, enhancing the economy, the environment and social wellbeing of everyone.

Translink is ambitious for the future – we aim to operate a fully Zero Emission bus and rail fleet by 2040, with urban fleets in Belfast and Derry~Londonderry achieving this target several years in advance. By mid-2022, we will operate the 4th largest Zero Emission bus fleet in the UK and Ireland. The transition towards Zero Emission technology on our railway network is also underway, with an ambition to invest in route electrification. An additional 21 intermediate Class 4000 train carriages will all be in service by late summer 2022, providing an additional 1,600 seats on the NI Railways network and helping to facilitate additional ‘green’ travel.

The coming year is an exciting one for Translink, not only as we roll out our Zero Emission technologies but as we also take a major step towards realising the transformative Belfast Grand Central project, which has the potential to revolutionise public transport, not only in Belfast but regionally; this is due for completion in 2025. It is expected that Glider phase 2, serving North and South Belfast, will enter service in the coming years, providing effective, eco-friendly cross-city travelling options. There will be a need for effective communications and stakeholder engagement once a Ministerial announcement is made. The Translink Future Ticketing System also entered operation, allowing for greater choice and flexibility for customers, including via contactless and mobile app payments.

These developments are of great interest to our stakeholders, who are supportive of enhanced, effective public transport options. We are grateful for their support as we seek to build knowledge of the significant positive impact of public transport on Northern Ireland society, economically, socially and environmentally.

More and more people are waking up to the need for positive climate action and it is clear that no Net Zero strategy is achievable without public transport. It is also clear that sustainable, long-term funding is required to help Translink meet infrastructural and environmental commitments