Translink’s Student Savings Are Right On the Money - Press Releases - News - Translink
Translink’s Student Savings Are Right On the Money
16 September 2008:
With a new university term looming and more students than ever- a reported 60%*- taking on part-time jobs to see them through the academic year, Translink has reminded all those in full-time education to ease the strain of student life by applying for their Translink Student Discount Card and Uni-Link Smartlink Card.
Against the backdrop of a gloomy economic climate the Translink Student Discount Card, at £7.00 per annum, offers up to 33% discount on adult single fares with NI Railways and up to 50% on single fares on Enterprise services. With Ulsterbus students can receive up to 15% discount on standard adult fares of £2.20 and over, as well as reductions on cross border bus services.
As Translink Brand Manager Carol Marsden explains, students really get their money’s worth with the Student Discount Card as it also offers various discounts with a number of retail partners, ranging from Pizza Hut and The Streat to Urban Outfitters, Whizzgo car rental and STA travel insurance. In addition, anyone opening a Bank of Ireland Student Account between 1st September 2008 and 31st October 2008 will get the Translink Student Discount Card completely free.
“A large number of students use Translink services, so it is important that we ensure public transport is a really attractive and great value travel option. Students are facing ever increasing debt so Translink has also joined up with some big high-street names to offer students even more savings on some of those daily essentials. We urge anyone eligible to apply for their Student Discount Card and those who held one last year can renew it online in just three working days at www.translink.co.uk/students,” said Carol.
Those travelling between Queen’s University, University of Ulster and the Northern Regional College can also make savings by pre-purchasing journeys using a Uni-Link Smartlink Card and topping it up at a number of convenient locations. Students can now buy the Uni-Link Smartlink Card and first top-up of journeys online which offers a 25% saving compared with paying by cash. Further savings can be enjoyed between 22nd September 2008 and 31st October when Translink will waive the initial £1.50 purchase charge for a Uni-Link Smartlink Card.
“Together the Translink Student Discount Card and Uni-Link Smartlink Card offer savings that make student life that bit more affordable,” added Carol.
Application forms for the Translink Student Discount Card can be downloaded from www.translink.co.uk/students, alternatively pick up an application leaflet from your local Translink bus or rail station and return along with £7.00, a passport-sized photo and a college ID.
The Uni-Link Smartlink Card can be purchased online and at all Ulsterbus stations as well as the Metro Kiosk, Donegall Square West.
For further information about the Student Discount Card and Uni-Link Smartlink visit Translink’s website at www.translink.co.uk/students or contact the call centre on 028 90 66 66 30.
Ends
For further media information please contact Lauren McCoy at Morrow Communications on 028 9039 3837 or email l.mccoy@morrowcommunications.com.
Notes to Editor
*Based on a study carried out by Ulster Bank and Royal Bank of Scotland.
The Translink Student Discount Card is available to all students on a full-time course or full-time professional training in NI, Republic of Ireland and GB. School pupils in full-time education from the age of 16 are also eligible.
Translink Student Discount Card offers the following travel discounts:
- Up to 33% off NI Railways standard adult single fares
- Up to 15% off Ulsterbus standard adult single fares of £2.20 and over
- 50% off an Enterprise Class adult single fare on the Enterprise service
Further discounts with the Translink Student Discount Card includes:
- 10% off at Urban Outfitters
- 10% off worldwide annual travel insurance with STA Travel
- 10% off total dine-in bill at Pizza Hut (1-4 people)
- Free regular gourmet coffee with any Panini purchased at The Streat
- Free one year’s membership with Whizzgo worth £49.50
The Uni-Link service commences 22nd September 2008 operating Monday-Friday from Queen’s University to Northern Regional College and on to the University of Ulster, Jordanstown Campus.
Uni-Link Smartlink Card journeys can be topped-up at the following:
- Spar Express, University of Ulster, Jordanstown
- Europa Buscentre
- Laganside Buscentre
- Metro Kiosk, Donegall Square West
- All Ulsterbus stations
- All Metro Smartlink agents
Possible savings made by pre-purchasing journeys using a Uni-Link Smartlink Card include:
Uni-Link: Botanic Ave – UUJ
Cash
Single
Smartlink
Single Journey Fare
Cash
Return
(1 Mth)
£2.20
£1.65
£4.00
Uni-Link: East Antrim Inst – UUJ
£1.50
£1.10
£3.00
Uni-Link: Botanic Ave – UUJ
First Purchase
(incl. £1.50 for card)
Top Up
(no charge for card)
5 Journeys
£9.75
£8.25
10 Journeys
£18.00
£16.50
40 Journeys
£64.20
£62.70
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