Translink meets reliability targets

Independent research has suggested Translink continues to deliver reliable services for passengers. Bus reliability is also on target and buses are departing on time. However, passengers expressed dissatisfaction with punctuality, particularly on Belfast’s Metro services. Journeys were particularly slow as Christmas shopping started. The operator is looking at ways to improve punctuality and is working with Transport NI to review if congestion on some roads in greater Belfast, or other factors, were impacting on the journey times of Metro and some Ulsterbus services. It was noted that Metro passenger journeys had increased this year but performance on different routes varied considerably.

Marketing Executive of Translink, Ciarán Rogan, said, ‘All roads users in Belfast will know that congestion is increasingly an issue. The bus lanes in the city centre are working very well and we will work with our colleagues in Transport NI to improve the “on time” performance of bus services outside the city centre. We have taken action to keep services running on time – we have added more buses to our schedules to ensure we are delivering our timetable reliably for customers. We are also planning to introduce more new buses to the Metro fleet along with a new timetable on key routes later this year. As 52% of people come to Belfast by bus and rail and half of shoppers using Metro services spend over £35 per visit, it is vital we continue to work hard to maintain service quality and high customer satisfaction.’