Local family takes on ‘Families Get Out More with Translink!’ - Summer Challenge - Press Releases - News
Local family takes on ‘Families Get Out More with Translink!’ - Summer Challenge
-‘Holiday At Home’ under scrutiny thanks to Williamson family-
29 June 2009:
With the strong euro and prospect of a hot summer ahead, Translink and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) are joining forces to put the traditional family holiday to the test - forget the two week get-away abroad, it’s all about getting more for you money and your time… in Northern Ireland!
Throughout July and August, Translink and NITB are challenging a local family, the Williamsons from East Belfast, to forego their vacation abroad and instead opt for a series of day trips in order to ‘holiday at home’, using public transport. Making use of Translink’s summer packages, including Super Summer Savers – illustrated in the form of a map of NI and available from all NI bus and rail stations or at www.translink.co.uk – the Williamsons will be plotting different day trips around NI stopping in at the Armagh Planetarium, Giant’s Causeway which is part of the stunning Causeway Coastal Route, the Tall Ships and the Walled City of Derry to name a few.
The aim of the challenge, which will see the family travelling some 703 miles around NI, is to show the public that NI can be the location for a truly successful family summer holiday, with the emphasis on fun, relaxation, visiting new places, trying new activities and spending as much time as possible with loved ones – all of which can be affordably achieved using public transport.
Translink’s Communications Manager, Lynda Shannon, explains why they created the challenge:
“With many pressures on the home budget many families are having to re-think their typical summer holiday. Translink wants to show that you don’t have to go abroad or spend a fortune to get the most out of your summer holidays, instead of relying on just one or two weeks abroad, the aim for families should be to spread out their budget – and the holiday feeling - throughout the long school holidays.
“We are delighted the Williamson family have agreed to take up our challenge. At the end of each day trip they will be penning a travel guide to give advice and ideas to other families. These will be available on the Translink and NITB websites. The reality is you don’t have to get on a plane to have a holiday full of culture, adventure and discovery, it’s all on your doorstep and we have a range of great value tickets to get you there.”
A family of two adults, which can include any two adult friends / relatives, and up to four children can enjoy unlimited bus and rail travel in NI over the course of one day for just £18.50. While in Belfast, the Williamsons will be using the Metro Family Day Ticket which will allow them to travel anywhere in Belfast on the Metro network over the course of a day. Along with great value travel, discounts of up to 15% can be had at a number of attractions and destinations throughout NI by simply showing your bus or rail ticket.
Spokesmum, Grace Williamson said: “We have always enjoyed the typical two week summer holiday abroad but in these belt tightening times we decided it was worth seeing what Northern Ireland has to offer a family on a budget this year. We don’t really know what to expect but are really excited about what lies ahead of us! We are keen to get the most out of our summer and think the Translink family challenge would be the perfect opportunity to help us do just that.”
Neil, who is a driving instructor, added: ‘’ These trips by bus and train will make a nice change for me - I am constantly behind the wheel so it will be great to sit back, relax and let someone else take control of the transport! Being so busy throughout the year I suppose it’s easy to overlook the sights and attractions Northern Ireland has to offer so this summer we are making it our mission to explore the country.’’
“The kids are really looking forward to the challenge and I suppose the best thing about it is that we can bring the extended family along for the ride, one thing that we couldn’t afford to do during the two weeks that we would normally be away. We would encourage families across Northern Ireland to come on board, stretch the family budget and enjoy the holiday feeling throughout the whole summer.”
Destination Marketing Manager at NITB Jonathan Smyth said;
‘’From exploring the City walls of Londonderry, watching the Tall Ships in Belfast’s Titanic Quarter through to exploring the Mountains of Mourne, we want to communicate that Northern Ireland is a truly unique destination to holiday, packed full of world class attractions and hidden gems. With the Williamsons setting such a great example, we are encouraging people to do the same and invest in a staycation this year in order to discover some of the amazing sights that make this such a special place.”
For information on Translink timetables, fares and Summer offers log on to www.translink.co.uk or phone the Contact Centre on 028 9066 6630.
To keep up to speed with the Williamson’s holiday around NI this summer log on to www.translink.co.uk/summer
Ends
For further information please contact Lauren McCoy/ Harriet Turtle at Morrow Communications on 028 9039 3837 or email l.mccoy@morrowcommunications.com
Notes to Editors:
Translink’s Summer Packages include:
• Super Summer Savers: This is illustrated in the form of a map of NI outlining fares and destinations discounts available throughout the summer. Super Summer Savers is available from all NI bus and rail stations or at www.translink.co.uk.
Summer fares are as follows:
- Family Day Ticket: For just £18.50 a family of two adults and up to four children can enjoy unlimited bus and rail travel in NI over the course of one day, across all NI Railways, Metro, Ulsterbus and Goldline Express services. (NB: The ‘family’ can include any two adult friends / relatives joining together to travel with their children.)
- Metro Day Ticket: Just £2.70 for unlimited travel in Belfast on the Metro network after 9.30am Monday to Saturday or all day Sunday. Or, £3.50 for unlimited travel all day Monday.
- New Metro Family Day Ticket: For just £9.00 a family of two adults and up to four children can travel anytime, anywhere in Belfast on the Metro network over the course of a day. This means that families can travel from corner to corner of Northern Ireland’s capital City at bumper value. (NB: The ‘family’ can include any two adult friends / relatives joining together to travel with their children.)
- NI Railways 1/3 Off Day Return Ticket: Go on a ‘rail’ adventure this summer – travel after 9.30am and get up to 33% off all standard adult and child NI Railways Day Return tickets.
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- Bus Rambler Day Ticket: If you already enjoy rambling on, or fancy taking up a new hobby this summer, then Translink’s Summer Rambler ticket allows you to explore Northern Ireland’s most spectacular scenic areas with unlimited travel on Ulsterbus and Metro services. At just £8.00 for an adult and £4.00 for a child, paying for this is a walk in the park.
- Freedom of NI Ticket: This is the perfect option for anyone planning to explore every part of NI this summer. Enjoy unlimited bus and rail travel for one day at just £15.00; make it three out of eight consecutive days for just £36.00; or make a complete week of it for only £55.00 for seven days. There really is no excuse for not getting to grips with all that NI has to offer this summer, whether as a day tripper or for a longer stay.
- Seniors with a valid SmartPass travel completely free anytime, anywhere!
Destinations discounts are as follows:
- W5 at Odyssey, Belfast, Co Antrim – This summer, W5 will be soaring to the sky and diving to the depths to bring us the absolutely fascinating world of Wind, Wings and Waves. Take the bus or train, and get 10% discount on all purchases in the W5 shop.
T: 028 90467700
- Bangor, Co Down – One of NI’s favourite seaside towns, Bangor has something for everyone all summer long. Take the bus or train, and get 10% discount on all crafts and jewellery purchased at the Tourist Information Centre.
- Portrush, Co Londonderry – Take the bus or train to this famous NI holiday resort and get 15% discount on purchases from any shop within the Dunluce Centre.
- Ulster Folk & Transport Museum, Cultra, Co Down – The Museum offers visitors the opportunity to experience living history and explore a way of life from 100 years ago. It also illustrates the history of transport in Ireland from its earliest forms to the present day. Take the train and get 1 free admission when a second admission of equal or higher value is purchased
T: 028 9042 8428
- Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh, Co Tyrone – The museum tells the story of emigration from Ulster to America in the 18th & 19th centuries and provides visitors with a living history experience on its outdoor site. Take the bus and get 1 free admission when a second admission of equal or higher value is purchased
T: 028 8224 3292
- Armagh Planetarium, Co Armagh – Armagh Planetarium is a world-renowned astronomical educational establishment, attracting an average of 50,000 visitors each year. Take the bus and get 2 for 1 admission to any show
T: 028 37523689
- Belleek Pottery, Belleek, Co Fermanagh - Visitors can enjoy guided tours, the on-site museum, the audio-visual theatre and showroom and enjoy refreshments in the restaurant or visit the gift shop. Take the bus and get 2 for 1 admission
T: 028 68658501
- Giant’s Causeway, Bushmills, Co Antrim – This is Northern Ireland's only World Heritage Site, where visitors can unearth the famous legends and colourful folklore of the Causeway. Take the summer Causeway Rambler service and enter a free draw to win a £50 voucher for any National Trust shop.
T: 028 2073 1855
- Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Ballintoy, Co Antrim – Cross the rope bridge for an exhilarating and truly unique cliff top experience amid unrivalled coastal scenery. Take the summer Causeway Rambler service and enter a free draw to win a £50 voucher for any National Trust shop.
T: 028 2076 9839
- Derry City, Co Londonderry – The City boasts not only a number of fine historic visitor attractions including the Tower Museum and the famous City Walls, but also modern day entertainment and shopping for all the family. Take the bus or train and get 2 for 1 admission to the Tower Museum and get a 10% discount on goods purchased in the Tourist Information Gift Shop.
- Belfast City, Co Antrim – Belfast is steeped in history and culture with many great places to visit, as well as a multitude of bars, restaurants and some of the best shopping around. Take the bus or train and get 10% discount on goods purchased in Belfast Welcome Centre.
• See Belfast by Metro
This guide highlights many of the attractions that Belfast has to offer, providing Metro service numbers, journey time from city centre and stop to get off. Simply use your value Metro Day Ticket to tour the whole City, hopping on and off at scheduled locations from Belfast Zoo to Stormont Parliament Buildings, Crumlin Road Jail to CS Lewis’s family home, and Cave Hill Country Park to the Seamus Heaney Centre at Queen’s University.
You’ll also be able to use your Metro Day Ticket for some great discounts such as 20% off the Titanic Pump House tour, 10% off The Big Wheel and 10% off purchases at the Ulster Museum Gift Shop.
• Outings by Rail
This guide will provide you with a range of ideas to help you plan your day trip travelling by train. Take in spectacular scenic views as the railway line hugs the coastline en route to the town of Bangor or alternatively along the North Coast to the ever popular holiday resort of Portrush and the walled City of Derry.
NI Railways 1/3 Off Day Return Ticket: Go on a ‘rail’ adventure this summer – travel after 9.30am and get up to 33% off all standard adult and child NI Railways Day Return tickets.
• The North Coast by bus
- North Coast Open Topper: The Open Topper operates a circular route from Coleraine, taking in Portstewart, Portrush, the Bushmills,Portballintrae and the Giants Causeway (car park).The service operates from Wednesday 1 July to Monday 31 August 2009, does not operate 13 July. Weather permitting, conventional bus operates in bad weather.
Why not buy a Hopper ticket and hop on and off the Open Topper as many times as you like, visiting all the attractions along the route. Adult hopper £5.20 and Child Hopper £2.60.
- The ‘Award winning’ Antrim Coaster: Use it as a day return sightseeing tour, as a ‘hopper’ between coastal towns and villages or to visit Larne or Coleraine for shopping.
- Ballycastle Town Service: Day Return £1.90, Child 95p, Smartlink Weekly Travelcard £9.
- Causeway Rambler: The popular Causeway Rambler passes such landmarks as the Bushmills Distillery, the Giant’s Causeway, Dunseverick Castle, Whitepark Bay and the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge and is used by many walkers in this scenic part of the world. Causeway Rambler Fares- Adult Rambler £4.50 • Child £2.25.
• ‘Senior Moments with Translink’ guide.
This ‘discount directory’ is just for seniors (60 ) and provides discounts at over 90 coffee shops and restaurants right across NI. Combined with completely free travel, Senior Moments provides another great reason for seniors to get out more. Launched in time for summer 2009, the Senior Moments booklet is available from all main NI bus and rail stations and online at www.translink.co.uk, and is valid until 31st May 2010.
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