Executive Summary - Corporate Plan 2007 - About Us - Translink
Track Record of Success l Safety l Bus Services l Rail Services l Integration & Commercial Delivery l Asset Management, Stewardship & Efficiency l Public Transport Structures l Conclusion
Track Record of Success
NITHC / Translink now has a firmly established track record of success in delivering a growing public transport network and meeting the targets set out in the RTS and BMTP. This plan outlines 5 programmes of work which will continue this success and the delivery of Government public transport targets. These programmes are:
- safety,
- better bus services,
- better rail services,
- integration and commercial delivery and
- asset management, stewardship and efficiency
Track Record of Success l Safety l Bus Services l Rail Services l Integration & Commercial Delivery l Asset Management, Stewardship & Efficiency l Public Transport Structures l Conclusion
Safety
The safety of passengers, staff and the general public remains a core objective of NITHC / Translink. A significant work programme is in place to deliver, enhance and maintain safe systems, a positive safety culture, emergency preparedness and high profile public safety campaigns in support of this commitment. In particular during 2007/08 the achievement of formal safety certification for the rail services is an objective, in line with new legislation / regulations from DRD, along with the full commissioning and implementation of the new safety management system across all Translink operations.
Track Record of Success l Safety l Bus Services l Rail Services l Integration & Commercial Delivery l Asset Management, Stewardship & Efficiency l Public Transport Structures l Conclusion
Bus Services
Passenger numbers on the bus networks have grown for a second year during 2006/07, reflecting the successful network reviews and re launches of Metro and Goldline. The remaining Ulsterbus network is also being reviewed and redesigned on an area by area basis with significant early success. These network reviews were supplemented with enhancements to local services such as Airport Express and the M1 /Westlink Park and Ride products.
All these initiatives have further development and upgrade planned for the period of this corporate plan, ensuring the growth in usage should continue. In addition, during 2007/08 the service of transporting children to school will be upgraded following Government funding to procure 110 additional buses for school transport in Ulsterbus and 20 additional double deckers in Metro to replace 13 single deckers. This will eliminate standing and use of the ‘3 for 2 rule’ by 2008/09.
A major issue for the bus business which could reverse growth in passenger numbers is the continued decline in bus speeds in Belfast. This is contrary to BMTP targets. Translink remains committed to work with Roads Service to reverse this decline.
Track Record of Success l Safety l Bus Services l Rail Services l Integration & Commercial Delivery l Asset Management, Stewardship & Efficiency l Public Transport Structures l Conclusion
Rail Services
The introduction of the new C3K rolling stock to the rail network has been a considerable success, delivering significant growth in passenger numbers and sustained improvements in passenger satisfaction. These results also derive from the ongoing upgrade of all aspects of the rail service. Over the next 3 years continued optimisation of the current resource and capacity to potentially deliver the 60% growth in passenger numbers target in the RTS.
NITHC / Translink is also working with DRD in the ‘Options for Future Train Services Steering Group’ to develop options for future train replacement and fleet enlargement and for the future size of the rail network.
Work also continues to grow the Enterprise service, following several years of static passenger numbers. In the short term focus will continue on creative web based yield management programmes and in the longer term working with Irish Rail to develop service enhancements in terms of frequency and journey time.
Track Record of Success l Safety l Bus Services l Rail Services l Integration & Commercial Delivery l Asset Management, Stewardship & Efficiency l Public Transport Structures l Conclusion
Integration and Commercial Delivery
Commercial performance is strong for all Translink product areas and brands, driven by growing passenger numbers through business development campaigns, network / product improvements and an effective commercial strategy. Reflecting this commercial strength, this corporate plan proposes a zero average fares revision across all networks (not including contracted services) to further embed the growth cycle.
This growth, along with a continued focus on efficiency improvements will deliver value for money public transport services for passengers and demonstrable value for money return for the investments of public funds in NITHC / Translink.
However, a financial uncertainty remains the funding of increased pension contributions for the Translink work force. Up until 31/03/07 the additional employer pension contributions required by NILGOSC over the rate of 4.6% which existed for many years have been fully funded.
However, the level of funding after this date is uncertain and any shortfall between contributions required by NILGOSC and the level of funding over the 4.6% will have to be recovered from other sources such as future passenger fare increases.
Integration remains at the heart of the Translink network and focus will continue on upgrading those integrating functions most meaningful to passengers; single access points, branding, information, call centre, website, ticketing and customer service. In addition, as part of the ongoing review of networks, bus / rail connections are under scrutiny for improvement possibilities.
Track Record of Success l Safety l Bus Services l Rail Services l Integration & Commercial Delivery l Asset Management, Stewardship & Efficiency l Public Transport Structures l Conclusion
Asset Management, Stewardship and Efficiency
A significant success of recent years and core to the demonstrable delivery of value for money is effective project management and implementation of capital expenditure programmes. Performance is at a high level through the development and use of a new project management methodology which adopts a life cycle and renewal strategy for assets, moving away from a largely reactive maintenance regime to one which proactively integrates maintenance and renewal planning and delivering projects on time and on budget. Major projects to be delivered during 2007/08 include:
- Commencement of Ballymena – Londonderry partial relay (consistent with current “Railway Review Group” funding).
- Knockmore – Lurgan track renewal/line speed recovery.
- Signalling upgrades to GSM-R (Bangor – Central – Newry initially).
- Passenger facilities at Lisburn (bus) and Newry (rail)
Track Record of Success l Safety l Bus Services l Rail Services l Integration & Commercial Delivery l Asset Management, Stewardship & Efficiency l Public Transport Structures l Conclusion
Public Transport Structures
During 2006, the Minister announced the intention to establish a passenger transport authority (PTA) for Northern Ireland. NITHC/Translink acknowledges this development and will work with DRD to develop the objectives and implementation programmes, including investigating the possibility of using existing NITHC/Translink functions to avoid potential duplication of resource or function.
The announcement is consistent with NITHC / Translink’s view that central to the delivery quality public transport are principles of:
- a single integrated public transport network
- delivery of bus priority measures to improve bus services through partnership, direction or responsibility combined within a single authority
- adequacy of funding to deliver enhanced public transport infrastructure.
Track Record of Success l Safety l Bus Services l Rail Services l Integration & Commercial Delivery l Asset Management, Stewardship & Efficiency l Public Transport Structures l Conclusion
Conclusion
NITHC / Translink has delivered a significant programme of change over the past number of years with considerable success in terms of developing, improving and growing public transport in Northern Ireland. This corporate plan outlines a programme of work which embraces the ongoing need for change and will deliver continued success.
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