Translink Press Release Ulsterbus Just the Ticket for Christmas Shopping in Coleraine
Ulsterbus Just the Ticket for Christmas Shopping in Coleraine
11 December 2006
Coleraine is heading for a bumper Christmas trading period, with expectations of a 5% increase on last year’s sales, thanks to its unique retail offering and enhanced public transport services provided by Translink.
The good news was confirmed by Coleraine Town Centre Management as local retailers head towards the peak Christmas shopping period during the week immediately prior to Christmas, with heaviest trading expected to be on Saturday 23rd.
The main town on the world famous Causeway Coast, Coleraine has long been recognised across NI for its exceptional retail offering, which successfully combines many of the major high street names with niche independent outlets. This core offering was further enhanced earlier this year when Translink carried out a major Strategic Review of its local Ulsterbus services to support the town’s retail strength and wider business and community needs.
Completed in April, the Review saw Translink introduce significant improvements across its Ulsterbus Town Centre and ‘Triangle’ network, with key enhancements including simplified timetabling, more frequent services, easy to understand clock face timetables, accessible low floor buses, and value all-day ticket pricing.
As a result some 10% more passengers are now using the Coleraine town centre services and a massive 75% more people are availing of the ‘Triangle’ services to connect them between Coleraine, Portstewart and Portrush.
“We are delighted to project strong growth in trade this Christmas and this is a reflection of our exciting and diverse shopping proposition and the strengthened public transport network underpinning this,” said Julienne Elliott, Coleraine Town Centre Manager.
“Quality, affordable and accessible public transport is a vital contribution to healthy trading for all towns and cities and particularly so for those that, like Coleraine, are highly pedestrian-ised. We are greatly encouraged by the success of Translink’s new Town Centre and Triangle routes, which are bringing people from all areas right into the heart of Coleraine. The Park & Ride scheme introduced by Coleraine Town Partnership Ltd in association with Translink and DRD Roads Service, taking passengers from Riverside Retail Park into the town centre, is also proving a huge success, growing year on year as people realise the advantages to be gained from taking the bus.
“In addition, because of its unique independent retail mix, Coleraine attracts a lot of custom from Belfast and this has been supported by Translink through the better integration of rail and bus links between Belfast and Coleraine, with the Goldline Express Coach Service 218 now operating from the Europa Bus & Rail Centre instead of Laganside Buscentre. Overall, we’re delighted with the recent changes and their contribution to the economic, social and community-based development of Coleraine – both at Christmas and for the future,” Julienne concluded.
“There can be no better endorsement of the success and benefit of the improvements we have introduced in this important area, than such terrific growth in passenger numbers,” added Coleraine Ulsterbus District Manager, Jonathan Miller. “Confirmation from Town Centre Management that our services are supporting the business of the town is also key because it reflects Translink’s strategy to provide a public transport system that enhances every aspect of modern life.
“We wish our valued local passengers, traders and wider community, a happy and prosperous Christmas and New Year,” he concluded.
As part of its local Ulsterbus review, Translink introduced a cost-saving £2.20 all-day ticket for passengers using Coleraine Town Centre services.
Ends
For further information please contact Dana McCusker / Keelin Haughey at Morrow Communications. Tel: 028 9039 3837.
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