Translink Press Release Public Transport Just the Ticket for Christmas Shoppers in Belfast
Public Transport – Just the Ticket for Christmas Shoppers in Belfast
20th December 2006
Belfast is heading for a strong Christmas trading period, with projections of up to 700,000 shoppers during the pre-Christmas week, thanks to its superior retail offering, safe streets, and enhanced public transport network bringing customers from across Greater Belfast, NI and ROI.
The news was confirmed by Belfast City Centre Management (BCCM) today as retailers across the city count down to the busiest shopping day of the year – Saturday 23rd December. Up to 15% week-on-week growth in shopper numbers since the beginning of December indicates that on the big day up to 100,000 shoppers will hit Belfast’s streets. Based on public transport projections by Translink, the likelihood is that a significant majority of shoppers will have taken the bus or train to get there.
"The growth in trade in Belfast this year is due to a number of factors, primarily the strong retail mix, the Belfast City Centre Beat and also the enhanced public transport network,” said Joanne Jennings, Chief Executive of Belfast City Centre Management. “At BCCM we have worked hard to promote a retail mix across the city centre, working with and supporting traders. We have also worked to ensure that Belfast offers the highest standards of customer service, not just in retail, but also across the hospitality sector. The Belfast City Centre Beat initiative, of which Translink is a key sponsor, also ensures that shoppers feel safe when they come to the City Centre.”
“Enhanced public transport links, not just across Belfast but NI and to the Republic, have convinced more and more shoppers to choose Belfast as the prime location for their Christmas shopping. It looks like the investment made in Metro, NI Railways and the wider bus network is paying dividends as the public increasingly recognises them as an excellent choice for getting in and out of the city centre speedily."
Reinforcing this, Translink is reporting record passenger numbers for December on Metro, Goldline and Belfast-bound NI Railways services, which are showing growth of 15%, 20% and 12% respectively on the same period last year. Approximately 800,000 rail passenger journeys – the equivalent of over half the population of Northern Ireland – are forecast for December; while over 2million passenger journeys – more than the entire population of NI – are expected to use Metro this month! Based on these projections, Translink estimates that during the peak pre-Christmas week, an impressive 600,000 passengers, including 100,000 on 23rd December, will opt for Metro.
“There can be no greater endorsement of the success and benefit of the improvements we have introduced across Metro, NI Railways and the wider public transport network, than such terrific growth in passenger numbers, particularly at key times like Christmas when passengers are demanding maximum efficiency and reliability,” said Ciaran Rogan from Translink. “Confirmation from City Centre Management that our services are supporting the business of the city is also key because it reflects Translink’s strategy to provide a public transport system that enhances and underpins the economic, social and community-based development of the province.
“We’d now like to wish our valued local passengers, traders and wider community, a happy and prosperous Christmas and New Year,” he concluded.
Ends
For further information please contact Dana McCusker / Keelin Haughey at Morrow Communications. Tel: 028 9039 3837.
Notes to Editor
Park and Ride facilities with free parking and on-site security are also available for shoppers coming into Belfast, with 320 spaces at Sprucefield and 220 Black’s Road. For information visit www.translink.co.uk
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