People of Newry Mourne and Down challenged to change travel habits
– Translink announces discount fares, partner offers and fun events for Bus + Train Week celebrations, 3-9 June 2019!
The people of Newry Mourne and Down are urged to ease traffic congestion and improve their health by leaving the car at home, getting active and taking public transport during Bus + Train Week, 3 – 9 June.
With air pollution considered the largest environmental health risk in the UK, Translink’s country-wide campaign will celebrate the benefits of travelling by public transport and promote its positive impact on the environment, the community and physical and mental wellbeing.
Research shows that those who take public transport walk two and a half times further than those who take the car and are also reported to be a third less stressed.
To encourage behavioural change, Translink has launched a number of new initiatives with partner organisations such as the ‘My Way 5K’ charity run in aid of Cancer Focus NI and the ‘Active Travel Challenge’ for commuters to log their sustainable transport trips for work (walking, cycling and public transport journeys), improving air quality and promoting healthier travel choices.
Launching Bus + Train Week, Greg McLaughlin from Translink, said: “With record numbers choosing public transport we want to deliver further passenger growth, reducing traffic congestion, improving air quality, connecting people to opportunities and supporting economic growth.
“Bus + Train Week is all about celebrating the value of public transport within society and we’ve created an inviting package of discount fares, partner offers and fun activities to get more people in Northern Ireland to make the smart move and introduce healthy and active travel habits into their daily routine.”
Pledging his support for the initiative, outgoingChairman of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, Councillor Mark Murnin, said: “Bus + Train Week is a great way of highlighting the important role public transport plays in helping our borough thrive. I encourage all Council staff and the wider public across the Council area to do their part to support the campaign and consider alternative travel options before getting into the car.
“Whether it’s getting the bus or train to work, going on a family day trip, enjoying some retail therapy or a night out with friends, all efforts to reduce the number of cars on our roads will make a positive difference to the lives of everyone here.”
During Bus + Train Week, Translink customers can enjoy discounted fares network-wide along with exclusive competitions, giveaways, fun and entertainment. Newry Business Improvement District (BID) has come on board to support the week offering people with a valid travel ticket, discounts in member stories such as Sketchers, Nugelato and The Body Shop. To find out more, visit:www.translink.co.uk/busandtrainweek/ and join the conversation online @Translink_NI, #GetOnBoard
Bus & Train Week 2019 discounted fares (valid 3-9 June inclusive)
- Metro & Glider: Day Ticket for £3
- NI Railways: 20% off Day Returns before 9.30am
- NI Railways: Return journey for the price of a single ticket after 9.30am
- Ulsterbus & Goldline: 20% off Day Returns before 9.30am
- Foyle Metro: Day Ticket for £2
(child fare is half adult fare)
(valid from June 3 – August 31 inclusive)
- Ulsterbus & Goldline: Return journey for the price of a single ticket after 9.30am for return journeys on Ulsterbus and Goldline services within Northern Ireland.
- Translink Family & Friends Ticket for £19 – unlimited day travel on any scheduled Translink service across the NI network for up to 2 adults and 4 children. Normal time restrictions apply.
- Metro & Glider Family Ticket for £7.50 – unlimited day travel on any scheduled Metro or Glider service for up to 2 adults and 4 children. Normal time restrictions apply.
- yLink: 50% off bus and rail single cash tickets for yLink cardholders.
Active Travel Statistics:
- A four metre-wide road lane can move 800-1100 people in cars per hour, compared to 5,000 -10,000 people on bikes. The most efficient use of road space is by bus which can move 8,000 – 12,000 passengers (The Belfast Bike Life Report 2017).
- People who take the bus walk 2.5 time further than those who use the car and are 1/3 less stressed (Greener Journeys).
- NI Railways carries over 55,000 customers daily, removing 42,500 cars from local roads.
- Every 2 full Gliders remove over 170 cars from the road saving 1km of congestion.
