Translink Welcomes Draft Budget-Press Releases-News-Translink

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26th October 2007:

The Board and management of NITHCo/Translink today welcomed the draft Northern Ireland budget for 2008/09 – 2010/11, which provides for future investment to further enhance public transport.

The draft budget includes provision for;

• Purchase of around 200 new buses
• The purchase of 20 new trains to replace existing rolling stock and provide additional capacity with the aim of facilitating further growth.
• Londonderry Rail Line track life extension works north of Ballymena and the commencement of a major track relay project between Coleraine and Derry.
• Significant improvement works on the railway line between Knockmore and Lurgan   
• Extension of the Concessionary Fares Scheme to introduce Free travel on public transport to all those over 60 years and over from those over 65 years but this excludes all Ireland or cross border travel 
  

Philip O’Neill, Acting Chief Executive said, “These proposals are good news for public transport and a vote of confidence in all my colleagues who deliver bus and rail services for Northern Ireland.  Everyone agrees public transport is central to sustainable development and enhanced quality of life and credit is due to the Minister and his officials for promoting the case for continued investment.” 

He added, “The investments and improvements we have made over the past years have clearly paid off in terms of increasing passenger numbers, greater customer satisfaction and value for money.  This draft budget, if approved, will allow us to build on these achievements in order to sustain Northern Ireland’s public transport success story.

However, the draft budget also rightly focuses on value for money – for passengers and the tax payer.  There are significant pressures on our costs and to reduce the subsidy for running socially necessary / uneconomic services.  To manage these pressures we must deliver still greater efficiencies in operations, if extra costs are not to be passed on to passengers through fares.”

He concluded, “I would thank all passengers, political representatives and members of the public for their on going support and commitment as we continue to improve our services and deliver a growing, integrated public transport network.

Ends

Issued by: Translink Press Office

Tel 028 90 899455

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