COUNTY Down passengers are set to benefit from a new direct Ulsterbus coach service from Portaferry to Belfast (from Monday 2 September 2013).
Operated by a brand new modern coach departing at 6.50am, this will mean passengers travelling along the Portaferry corridor will not have to change in Newtownards if travelling onwards to Belfast.
Richard Hudson, Translink Service Delivery Manager in Newtownards said: “We are always looking to see how we can make our services better; the introduction of this new modern coach and direct journey will further enhance the overall travel experience for our Co Down customers. We are also reminding the wider public travelling between Newtownards and Belfast that we operate services every 10 minutes during the peak hours Monday to Friday. This offers great convenience and flexibility for anyone travelling on this route.
“In addition, we have some great value great value commuter deals such as using Smartlink with savings of over £97.71 per month (travelling Portaferry to Belfast) or £26.41 per month (travelling Newtownards to Belfast) compared to using the private car.
“More and more people are already seeing the benefits of using the bus and coach; aside from saving on fuel, many tell us it gives them more time to themselves to relax, read or even have a sleep on board.
“As well as route enhancements, recent customer information developments such as Translink’s Journey Planner app, website and social media platforms have added further to passenger convenience with real time journey information available at the push of a button.
“Our Journey Planner app is at the forefront of passenger transport technology allowing passengers to quickly discover when and where the most convenient service for them is available. Currently the new app is being downloaded over 3,000 times per day while our social media presence offering travel updates has a following of upwards of 30,000.
“These latest enhancements will no doubt make our services even more attractive and encourage more people to choose the bus and coach as their preferred mode of travel,” Mr Hudson added.
Details of the enhancements and all Translink services can be found at www.translink.co.uk
The new Ulsterbus coach service will leave Portaferry Square at 06.50am and arrive in Belfast City Centre at 08.13am.
Portaferry to Belfast| Journey | Monthly Motoring Costs by Private Car | Monthly Total by Private Car | Monthly Total by Ulsterbus(Based on using –Smartlink Card) | Monthly Savings | Working Year Savings(Based on 10 months to allow for holidays/sick leave etc) |
| Portaferry to Belfast City Centre (29miles)(58 miles daily return x 20 days per month = 1160 miles) | 22.82 pence per mile (Petrol)20.16 pence per mile (Diesel) | £264.71 £233.86 | £ 167.00Using Smartlink 40 journey bus travelcard | £ 97.71On petrol £66.86 On diesel | £977.10 £668.60 |
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