Newcastle Ulsterbus Strategic Review
(Changes effective from 3rd September 2007)
WHAT IS THE ULSTERBUS STRATEGIC REVIEW?
Aim
The Ulsterbus Strategic Review is a major project which covers all the operational and delivery functions of Ulsterbus. The aim is to:
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Transform the effectiveness, efficiency and integration of Ulsterbus services
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Review and redesign the network
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Serve key market segments and aspirations of customers, stakeholders and public policy
The Ulsterbus Strategic Review provided the data required to:
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Develop plans for sustainable growth in passenger numbers in line with the Regional Transportation Strategy
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Redesign the Ulsterbus network to provide more attractive core services
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Plan changes that will maximise the use of all resources
Key Project Drivers
- Need for simplification
- Need for business growth
- Need to improve commercial performance
- Changes to public policy
- Need for modernisation of networks
Key Goals
- Modernise the route network
- Develop route networks on more commercial lines to deliver better services
- Generate growth in demand
- Secure funding for socially necessary, non-commercial support services
- Maximise opportunities provided by new flexible working agreement
- Invest in fleet and infrastructure, in accordance with network development objectives
- Establish ‘Quality Partnership’ with external agencies (eg Roads Service, local councils)
- Implement appropriate integrated ticketing, fares, timetabling and marketing policies in accordance with network developments
Key Benefits of the Improved Services in Your Local Area.
NEWCASTLE TOWN SERVICES
- Standardised modern route network designed to meet customer needs.
- Improved simplified timetabling with services at regular intervals
- Hourly service to Dundrum:
- Service 320a to Dundrum via Mourneview every 2 hours
- Service 320b to Dundrum via Maghera every 2 hours
- Service 320c to King Street every 2 hours
- Service 320d every 2 hours (now also serving Marguerite & Larchfield Park)
- Accessible low floor vehicles on all town services
- Improved Saturday services
- New Smartcard promotions - free cards (initial £1.50 charge waived)available until 30th September 2007
- Promotional fare of £1.70 for unlimited day travel (available where the single fare is £1.00)
WHAT CHANGES ARE BEING MADE?
A timetable has been agreed for the complete reorganisation of all Ulsterbus services throughout Northern Ireland. This will involve the ‘grouping’ where possible of all services into particular categories, such as:
- Town services
- Inter Urban services
- Key County services
- Rural services
- School services
To date local area reviews have been implemented at Coleraine; Londonderry; Strabane; Limavady Enniskillen; Omagh: Dungannon; Craigavon; Portadown; Lurgan; Armagh; Newry; Banbridge. Changes have been well received by passengers; Coleraine and Foyle areas, Enniskillen Town services and Strabane Town Services among others are already delivering significant growth. We are confident that the local are plans are meeting performance and service delivery objectives and improved customer satisfaction.
INTER-URBAN SEVICES
- Newcastle - Belfast: 24 services Mon - Fri
- Two supplementary journeys from Belfast at 0730 and 0915.
- Newcastle - Newry: 12 services daily Mon - Fri
COUNTY KEY ROUTES
- 3 direct services for Drumaness to Belfast at 0640, 0700 and 0720.
- Newcastle to Castlewellan: 31 services Mon- Fri
- Ballynahinch to Belfast: 42 services Mon - Fri
- Newcastle - Downpatrick: 17 services Mon - Fri
- 2 extra services between Newcastle and Downpatrick on Sundays.
GOLDLINE SERVICES
- Service 237 Newcastle - Belfast
- Service 240 Newcastle - Newry
FURTHER INFORMATION
For further information or to make a comment, please contact Gary Mawhinney, District Manager, Translink 028 4372 2296 or e-mail gary.mawhinney@translink.co.uk. To view the new timetable use the following link http://www.translink.co.uk/present/ulb%5F405%5Fo.asp
To receive this document in a different format please phone Translink Call Centre 028 90666630
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