Come Here, Rover!
18 August 2003
The Rural Rover may sound like a faithful canine, but even though it’s a bus, it can still come when you call for it!
Running between Newcastle and Belfast, the unique service from Translink will be at the ‘beck and call’ of its customers. Supported by the Rural Transport Fund for NI, the bus will serve Drumaroad, Annadorn, Drumsnade, Loughinisland, Edendarriff, Martinstown, Magheratimpany, Drumaness and Magheradrool as well as main points along the route.
"When we first introduced the Rural Rover a year ago it operated as a conventional service which is funded by the DRD,” says Dr. Irvine Lavery, Translink’s Transport Development Manager. “We have now been given permission to use the Rover for a pilot experimental scheme to provide an 'on-demand' service to isolated rural areas. The experiment will last for a year and will then be evaluated with the possibility of this type of personalised service being operated in other rural areas in N. Ireland.
"We are very appreciative that the DRD and the DOE are giving Translink the opportunity to pioneer this exciting project, the first of its kind in any part of the island of Ireland".
“We aim to make this service as personal as possible for our customers. They will get to know our staff if they are regular users and vice versa. The buses used will be state of the art minibuses that are wheelchair and buggy friendly for improved accessibility.
Buses will pick people up at, or as near as possible to, their homes and will call at a number of popular stops on the way.
“The service is a great way to make the most of what’s available,” concludes Irvine Lavery. “For instance, if you love markets, the Rural Rover can be used to get to Ballynahinch market or St Georges in Belfast. For those who prefer big shops, the Belfast terminus at the Europa is convenient for Donegall Place and Castlecourt, although some existing passengers visit Forestside which is en route. Or if theatre is more your thing, the Grand Opera House is just beside our final stop at the Europa Bus Station!
“And the news is even better for Senior SmartPass holders, because for them, this fantastic service is free!”
Staff at Newcastle Depot organises all bookings for the Rural Rover. Customers can phone them on 028 43727200 in advance (up to 5pm the day before the service is required) and ask the service to come their way. All bookings will be accommodated on a first come, first served basis.
The whole service will be personally explained to residents along the route by Translink staff who will call house to house in the relevant areas with information about the Rural Rover.
ENDS
For further information, please contact Deirdre Ni Chleirigh at Morrow Communications on 9039 3837
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