Translink Press Release: Come Here, Rover
27 October 2005:
Translink’s Rural Rover bus service, launched today in Belleek, may sound like a faithful canine, but even though it’s a bus, it can still come when you call for it! The bus which will operate in Fermanagh is Translink’s second demand responsive service following on from the success of the Rural Rover in Newcastle.
Ulsterbus driver Paul McNeill hands the ignition key to Mrs Eileen Moffatt from Florencecourt who uses the Rural Rover regularly. In the background are (L-R) Translink’s Chief Executiver Keith Moffatt (no relation), Brian White from DRD, Mr Stanley Moffatt Eileen’s husband and Anita Flanagan from Rural Lift.
Keith Moffatt Translink’s Chief Executive explains; “The Rural Rover will provide an individual door to door service for passengers living in specific areas of South West Fermanagh, they simply book the bus a day in advance and the ‘Rover’ will call as close to their home as rural lanes will allow.
We see the service as bridging the gap between traditional public transport and the private car. It’s designed to give people independence and address rural transport needs.”
“We are delighted to be in the ‘driving seat’ of this project, which is a joint pilot between ourselves, the Department for Regional Development who has funded the service and Rural Lift Community Transport who will handle all the bookings.
“A brand new ‘slimline’ low floor Translink bus designed to navigate through narrow lanes will come and collect passengers and bring them where they need to go and Translink will provide the driver and engineering facilities.”
“We hope this service will give people even greater access to essential services that most people take for granted. For example going to the post office, bank, the doctor and, believe it or not, the hairdresser. These are just a few of the places people can use the Rural Rover to get to”. He concluded.
Brian White, Director of Ports and Public Transport for the Department for Regional Development said; "This innovative service is a genuine team effort involving DRD, Translink and Rural Lift. The Regional Transportation Strategy highlighted the importance of new, more innovative ways to provide public transport to rural areas. The Fermanagh Rural Rover service is turning words into reality - a responsive service that is where people need it, when they need it."
Anita Flanagan, Manager of Rural Lift for South West Fermanagh said: “We are delighted to be involved in this initiative. This innovative service has given Rural Lift the opportunity to expand the work we have been doing for the past five years, to provide affordable, accessible transport is the rural areas of South West Fermanagh. With our local expertise and contacts together with Translink and DRD’s invaluable support we are confident that the Rural Rover will go from strength to strength.”
Bookings for the Rural Rover can be made be telephoning 028 6632 0599 in advance (up to 5pm the day before the service is required). All bookings will be accommodated on a first come, first served basis.
ENDS
For further information call Marelle Crawford at Translink on 90 749415
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