Translink Press Release: Transport bosses welcome publication of NI’s first Transport Strategy - Translink
3 July 2002
Chairman of the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Co, Dr Joan Smyth CBE warmly welcomed the Regional Transportation Strategy, presented today to the Assembly by Regional Development Minister Peter Robinson, hailing it as “potentially one of the most significant steps forward in the provision of public transport in Northern Ireland.”
Dr Smyth commented, “These proposals could have huge significance in terms of improving the quality of life for urban and rural communities. The list of programmes outlined in the strategy is exciting and challenging and would truly transform public transport in NI. We have contributed to the debate during the development of this strategy and have demonstrated that with adequate investment, a high quality public transport system can attract more people from their private cars to travel on buses and trains”
Dr Smyth added, “We particularly welcome the direction of the strategy to improve social inclusion through enhanced public transport for everyone particularly in rural parts of Northern Ireland. We are keen to continue developing partnership arrangements to deliver innovative transport schemes for the benefit of everyone”.
Translink’s Managing Director Ted Hesketh added, “This eagerly awaited Strategy is potentially great news for public transport in Northern Ireland. I am hopeful that our local Assembly will endorse the proposal and we can then get on with the job of ‘delivering the goods’ ”.
If the funding were made available, the Strategy would deliver the following real benefits to the travelling public:
- The ‘retention and enhancement of the current rail network’ , securing the rail network in its entirety, including the Antrim - Knockmore railway line.
- Increasing train rolling stock capacity, including the Enterprise.
- An increase in the number of Quality Bus Corridors for Belfast and greater frequency of Goldline express coach services, along with much needed renewal of the bus and coach fleet.
Mr Hesketh added “The proposed rapid transit system for Belfast would be particularly exciting and would be just what the city needs to portray itself as a modern European city – perfectly timed, coinciding with the bid for European Capital of Culture 2008”.
Mr Hesketh concluded, “For too long the chronic under-funding of public transport has been making the headlines. Implementation of the Strategy would be great news for our passengers and staff alike. It would allow a continued renaissance of public transport in NI and will build on the investment program already underway in our railway network. I am confident that when the necessary funding is approved, Translink could deliver the Minister’s vision and I look forward to the future with confidence”.
Ends
Issued by Leanne Hyslop
Press Officer
Telephone 028 9089 9455
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