About Us - Annual Review 2005/06 And Future Plans - Integration - Translink
Integration is at the heart of Translink’s operations. Passengers want a public transport system which is integrated. This means more than buses and trains connecting; also common information sources, through ticketing and well organised interchanges. Translink is working towards delivering meaningful integration for passengers.
Information
A single call centre and website provide information on all bus and rail services including latest travel news every 15 minutes on www.translink.co.uk. Overall, the provision of passenger information, electronically, by telephone or printed is amongst the most comprehensive in Great Britain or Ireland.
Passenger information will continue to be upgraded and improved. Enhanced web based mapping interactivity, fares information and further fine grading of information to individual bus stop level will be introduced. Personalised
marketing campaigns will be piloted.
Ticketing
There are integrated ticketing options, mainly in the form of passes, Smartpass (65 /concession), pupil tickets, annual passes and tourist passes. Demand for single or one-off integrated tickets is currently low but will be catered for with a new project under evaluation to develop and implement a network wide stored value smart card providing a ‘check in/check out’ facility. This could be a replacement for all multi journey and travel card ticket types delivering a quantum step forward in terms of comprehensive single journey through ticketing for all bus and rail services.
Networks and facilities
Buses and trains are scheduled to connect where there is demand and operational opportunity. Translink has invested in state of the art passenger facilities throughout Northern Ireland which are integrated bus/rail where possible, for example, Bangor, Coleraine, Europa/Great Victoria Street (all bus/rail), also Magherafelt, Downpatrick, Central Station, Ballyclare, Carrickfergus, Newry and Armagh. A new railway station at Newry has been approved.
The public transport network will be further developed and marketed as a single integrated entity, with operational network developments consistent with a single network vision. This will include the co-ordination of Goldline and NIRailways
network development plans, linked to the key transport corridor approach of the RTS.
Park and Ride
Significant investments have been made in both bus and rail based Park and Ride facilities at Lisburn, Moira, Lurgan, Carrickfergus, Portadown (all rail), Northside & Eastside Belfast, Dungannon, (all bus), Bangor, Coleraine and Ballymena (all bus/rail).
Translink is working with Roads Service to develop a range of measures that will help ease congestion on the M1 and Westlink during the period of major road construction and an extended bus priority lane on the M1 motorway hard shoulder will be in use from July 2006. New Park & Ride schemes at Black’s Road and Sprucefield will be provided with dedicated vehicles operating frequent shuttle services. New strategic Park and Ride operations have also been confirmed for Cairnshill and proposed for Ballymartin (Templepatrick/M2).
Customer Care
The new approach being pioneered in NIRailways focussing on core customer care commitments will be extended to the bus operation. This is designed to deliver a positive travel experience for passengers and a professional, fulfiling and enjoyable workplace. We aim to have our customer service recognised as “best in class”.
Commercial
An enhanced focus on the commercial performance of all aspects of the business will continue, delivering marketing campaigns, fares and ticketing structures and business unit analysis to optimise the commercial performance of all brands and products within Translink.
Transport Regulatory Structure
Background
NITHCo has submitted a proposal to Government to deliver evolutionary change to the structure of public transport regulation in Northern Ireland, over the short, medium and long term, with the objective of supporting delivery of the Regional Transportation Strategy 2012. The NITHCo proposal takes account of consultations between DRD, NITHCo/Translink and other stakeholders since the publication of DRD’s ‘New Start’ consultation in 2002. It will accommodate new EU regulations affecting the bus and rail businesses.
Key Principles
- need for a centrally planned bus and rail network
- full integration in terms of network design, timetables, ticketing, information, branding and marketing
- facilitate and accelerate the involvement of independent bus operators coordinated by the public sector ‘lead operator’ (as per ‘New Start’) including access to Translink infrastructure; bus stations, integrated ticketing system, all marketed under the unifying ‘Translink’ brand
- all in accordance with Government’s “New Start” objectives
Relationship with other policy objectives
The proposal assumes and supports full implementation of RTS and BMTP policies in relation to bus priority/speed, Park and Ride and bus-based rapid transit. It would create an opportunity for the new District Councils (in line with the community planning requirement/responsibility of RPA) to have a joint role in relation to transportation planning, linking highways, bus priority and bus network plans.
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