1st July 2008:
Eileen Curran and Colette McKenna set off on their ‘Girls on Tour – Translink Senior Travel Challenge – 72 hours, 700 miles and 6 cities from the top to bottom of Ireland using only the bus or train and their SmartPass! They will be stopping along the way in Derry, Omagh, Enniskillen, Monaghan, Armagh, Newry, Dublin and Cork!
Free travel with Translink Senior Smartpass put to the test in ‘road trip’ with a difference…
72 hours, 700 miles, six cities, from the top to the bottom of Ireland, using only bus or train… and a Translink 65 Senior Smartpass.
This is the Translink mission that sassy septuagenarian Eileen Curran from Jordanstown and sexagenarian Colette McKenna from the Antrim Road, have chosen to accept to show NI seniors that free public transport is the ‘route’ to a more active, fulfilled and adventurous life.
Setting off on their unique road trip today (1st July), the intrepid duo will carry out a whistle-stop tour of the whole of Northern Ireland, taking in each county, before moving on to Dublin and Cork, and then back to Belfast on Friday. The entire journey, around 700 miles, will be carried out in 72 hours using only public transport bus and rail services – which won’t cost a penny provided the pair use their Translink 65 Smartpass.
Under the 65 free travel scheme introduced in 2002, Eileen and Colette are entitled – along with some 240,000 fellow NI seniors aged 65 or over – to travel completely free on bus and rail services across Ireland. Latest news is that all those aged 60 to 64 years – a further 90,000 seniors – will also be entitled to travel free in Northern Ireland, from 1st October.*
To prove that they made all the stops, the seniors must purchase the local paper in each area and photograph / film themselves beside local landmarks. UTV will cover the pair’s travels to ensure that the important message of free travel for seniors reaches as much of the NI public as possible.
“This is a fun initiative but with an important purpose – to drive home to NI seniors just how beneficial free public transport is,” says Ciaran Rogan, Translink Marketing Executive.
“So many of our 65 passengers who have been enjoying free travel since 2002 tell us that it has opened doors for them, giving them access to new people, places and experiences. As a result, uptake has increased by over 10% in the last four years, with ¾-million additional journeys per annum.
“Extending this valuable benefit to 60-64 year-olds travelling in NI from 1st October is a very welcome step and should make a major difference to the lives of this very active age-group, many of whom are still working and travelling extensively,” he continued.
“Ultimately, free senior travel is a hugely liberating benefit, especially in the current tough economic climate. With the help of our senior ambassadors Eileen and Colette, we want to get this message out far and wide – so that every 65 senior currently entitled to free travel will take fullest advantage of it, and all those 60-64 year-olds eligible from 1st October will apply in time for the big day,” he concluded.
“Colette and I have been friends for many years and have both always been very determined to lead full and active lives, and enjoy our retirement years as much as possible. Free travel is an amazing benefit and we already use it a great deal. However, we are really looking forward to this road trip to see just how far our Translink Senior Smartpass can take us,” said Eileen.
“It will be a tough challenge to take in all of the places in the timeframe but we are up for it and look forward to reporting back at the end. If we can help persuade more seniors to get more out of their lives through travel, then we will be very pleased,” added Colette.
The Translink 65 Senior Smartpass was introduced in 2002 and entitles the holder to free travel across Ireland. The 60 Smartpass, whose start date was recently confirmed as 1st October 2008, will operate alongside the 65 Senior SmartPass. It is valid for travel only in Northern Ireland.
For information on how to apply for a Translink 65 Senior Smartpass, please contact Translink on (028) 9066 6630 or log on to www.translink.co.uk. To apply for a 60 Smartpass, please call 0845 600 0049 or by log on to www.60smartpass.info.
Ends
For further press information contact Dana McCusker / Nicola Adamson at Morrow Communications on 028 9039 3837 / 0777 333 6249 or email n.adamson@morrowcommunications.com
Notes to Editors
*On 23rd June, Transport Minister Conor Murphy MP MLA confirmed that those aged between 60 and 64 would be entitled to free public transport in Northern Ireland from 1st October 2008 – with the new 60 Smartpass.
The Road Trip:
65 Senior Smartpass:
60 Senior Smartpass:
Delicious
Digg
Reddit
Facebook
Stumbleupon