Better bus services - Annual review 06/07 - About us - Translink

New fleet  l  Fleet renewal programme  l  Goldline Network  l  Metro Network  l  Ulsterbus Network  l  Changes to school services  l  Rural Transport Fund Services

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GOLDLINE NETWORK
The enhanced Goldline interurban express coach service is giving the Northern Ireland public greater choice and frequency on services which link together the main towns and cities.

Network changes phase i and ii:

• A first phase of Goldline network changes implemented in April 2004 increased service frequencies on core routes.
• Service frequencies of between 20 and 30 minutes were introduced on the most popular routes to destinations across Northern Ireland.
• The number of passengers using Goldline had risen by 20% by September 2006.

Further Goldline Express service enhancements were introduced during 2006/07, achieving greater frequency on key routes:

• Belfast - Newry every 30 minutes.
• An hourly service between Newry and Dublin.
• A 15-minute peak service between Belfast and Derry (30 minutes off peak).
• 24 hour operation from Belfast and Derry to Dublin airport.

Private operators initiative
In October 2006, the Goldline network was opened to a private sector operator (Chambers Coaches). This operator was awarded a tender to operate pilot additional express type-services to Londonderry, Omagh and Dublin from Belfast within the Goldline branded network.
  
METRO NETWORK

• Belfast’s Metro bus network, launched February 2005, has been a huge success. Concentrating on 12 key corridors, the simplified Metro network improved reliability and frequency, together with better quality including comfort and accessibility.
• 60 new low-floor double-deck buses introduced to the Metro fleet during 2005/06, meet DDA requirements and replaced older vehicles in the fleet.
• New branding and livery, improved passenger information, route maps, a ‘how to use’ guide, successful advertising, introduction of day tickets and information at stops all contributed to Metro’s success.
  “To date passenger numbers are up 14%, equivalent to 50,000 people or over 950 additional full busloads per week. Passenger satisfaction also increased and remains high despite pressure on punctuality caused by increasing congestion and reducing bus speeds.”
  

Metro - next steps

• Improve frequencies on the core corridors and extend the network’s reach to match the Belfast Metropolitan area:
  • Translink is committed to improving service frequencies to between five and ten minutes on all 12 corridors. This will initially enhance the Antrim Road, Shore Road and Upper Newtownards Road. Other corridors will be enhanced later.
  • The network will also be extended to the University of Ulster at Jordanstown, Lisburn and Carryduff, Belvoir and Hydebank.

Bus speeds in Belfast and bus priority

• Bus priority measures and improved bus speeds through the city are crucial to the ongoing growth of the Metro network.
• BMTP target a 15% improvement in bus speeds through Belfast by 2015 yet actual bus speeds have fallen by 12.8% over the past 5 years; The gains from the introduction of Metro in terms of growing passenger numbers, customer satisfaction and punctuality could be reversed if bus speeds do not improve.
• Another key issue for future Metro plans is the ‘public realm project’ to provide more open public spaces around the city over the next three years. Translink supports this aim to make the city centre more attractive and has been working with these bodies to secure efficient and attractive bus transit through the city.

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ULSTERBUS NETWORK
The aims of the network redesign are:

• to maximize the use of all resources to improve levels of service
• to provide better core services to attract more passengers
• to improve commercial performance
• to identify and support non commercial services
• to improve integration with the rail network
• to establish ‘Quality Partnerships’ with external agencies such as Roads Service etc

To date local area reviews have been implemented at Coleraine; Londonderry; Limavady; Enniskillen; Omagh; Dungannon; Craigavon; Portadown; Lurgan; Armagh; Newry; Banbridge. Changes have been well received by passengers; Coleraine and Foyle areas, Enniskillen Town Services and Strabane Town Services are already delivering significant growth.

We are confident that local area reviews are meeting performance/ service delivery objectives, delivering improved customer satisfaction and are consistent with RTS targets.

Promoting Ulsterbus services

• As each new local area plan was implemented, a programme of marketing and advertising took place with the message: ‘Better Buses, Better Frequency, Better Value’. Activities included: local press advertising, station and community posters, adshel advertising, distribution of new local service guides and timetables. Promotional fares were also promoted on new Day tickets.

Next steps for Ulsterbus review

• A timetable is in place to complete the review of all Ulsterbus services. A further new service plan will be introduced for the Newcastle, Downpatrick, Carryduff and Donaghadee area in summer 2007, followed by Newtownards and Comber. Completion of the review process is anticipated during 2008.

Top awards for Ulsterbus Tours
Ulsterbus Tours won the title, ‘Coach Operator of the Year’, in the national Route One Operator Excellence Awards 2006. This award testifies to the profitable and sustainable business that Ulsterbus Tours represents in 2006.

Airport connections enhanced
Airport services to the Belfast International and George Best Belfast City Airports were rebranded, with service frequency enhanced to every 10 minutes during peak hours.

Frequency was also increased on the now 24-hour express service between Belfast and Dublin Airport and City service, and on the Londonderry to Dublin Airport service.

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CHANGES TO SCHOOL SERVICES
School transport is a very important part of Translink’s business. Each day Translink carries over 60,000 ‘entitled’ school children to and from school. Outside of the Belfast area school children are the primary user group on Translink services.

Policy changes and new fleet
Recent changes to Government policy require seat belts to be provided on buses and the phased abolition of ‘3 for 2’ seating (where three children under the age of 14 can use one double seat) on schools services. This results in additional vehicle capacity being required.

High-capacity single deck vehicles are preferred to deliver this additional capacity and government funding for 110 new fully seat belted school buses has been provided. Delivery of these new vehicles will begin in summer 2007.

A related issue is the elimination of standing on school services operating outside of urban areas, which is to be achieved by April 2009. The 110 high capacity vehicles deliver this requirement.

Future factors
The number of children in Northern Ireland aged under 16 will fall further by 2026. This, along with school closures and the uncertainty surrounding the outworking of the Costello Report (future of post primary education) mean there is uncertainty in the future cost structures and resource requirements of school transport provision.
    
RURAL TRANSPORT FUND SERVICES
Translink remains a key provider of public transport services and facilities under the DRD’s ‘Rural Transport Fund’ (RTF). This has been described as “the flagship transportation initiative in promoting social inclusion in rural areas”. Since the RTF’s inception in November 1998, Translink has provided a range of services that have enhanced public transport provision in rural areas across Northern Ireland.

RTF funding facilitated the provision of over 40 Ulsterbus services In 2005/06 that together generated over 180,000 passenger journeys, representing a 13% increase on the previous year. To date, a total of nine RTF services have successfully grown sufficiently to become commercially self-sustainable.

Innovative flexible transport schemes have also been initiated in the Newcastle and Enniskillen areas with the support of the RTF. In November 2006, the Fermanagh Rural Rover demand responsive service was improved and extended.

Translink also assists the rural community transport sector by the provision, maintenance and administration of 32 minibuses under the Rural Transport Fund. Improvements to public transport information provision, infrastructure and waiting facilities have also been initiated under this scheme.

The Department for Regional Development was awarded a National Transport Award in July 2006 for the administration of the Rural Transport Fund.