Transport Minister Urges Employers - Press Releases - News - Translink
Transport Minister Urges Employers to Help Tackle Congestion
16 September 2008:
Transport Minister Conor Murphy MP MLA and Group Chief Executive of NITHCo and Translink Catherine Mason climb onboard Metro to launch Travelwise NI Week, 15 – 19th September 2008. Employers, commuters and schools are being encouraged to use sustainable transport at least ‘once a week’ and enjoy its health, environmental, financial and time-saving benefits.
With soaring fuel costs and increased levels of traffic congestion putting greater demands on car-parking spaces now is the time for leading employers to get their employees out of their cars and to use more sustainable modes.
This was the call made today (Tuesday 16 September) to public and private sector leaders across the country by Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy who has written to over 200 employers to encourage them to look at how their organisation deals with transportation issues.
Conor Murphy, Minister for Regional Development:
“With the schools back the average commute is taking a lot longer. This does not help the environment with the levels of emissions from congested traffic rising dramatically. Added to the increasing pressure of the driver who is suffering the stress of trying to get to work on time this type of lifestyle can bring health problems for employees. And how many of us in the current economic situation can afford to pay for fuel to be burned while going nowhere?
Using sustainable transport modes such as car-sharing, public transport or where possible walking and cycling can bring great benefits. A survey carried out for Travelwise NI found that 93% of commuters supported my call to leave the car behind and try other modes for at least one journey a week with 85% saying they would give it a go.
However, I appreciate that for many people leaving the car at home is not an option but by car-sharing with at least one other person, be they family member, friend or colleague you can automatically halve your fuel costs. 38% of respondents said they were interested in doing this and I would encourage them to access our online car-share site www.carshareni.com that can find travel partners for those seeking a commuting companion.
In the current economic climate it makes sense to use the car less, the Travelwise survey found that 55% of commuters who drive to work have had to cut back on the number of miles they drive with 44% spending between an extra £10 to £20 per week on fuel and a further 31% spending an extra £20-£50 per week which equates to hundreds and thousands of pounds per year. We can see that replacing the car on unnecessary journeys so we can not only save some money but this will benefit the environment and is also good for our health” said Mr Murphy.
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Supporting this call, Catherine Mason, Group Chief Executive of NITHCo and Translink, said:
“We welcome the findings of the Travelwise NI commuter survey which clearly demonstrate the need for a reduction in car use and a move towards more sustainable modes of travel that will save time, money and the environment. Public transport is a better way to travel particularly with motoring costs increasing.
“Customers could be making considerable savings by switching from the car. For example, our Metro weekly travelcard is just £14.50 giving unlimited travel for much less than a tank of fuel. We also encourage our passengers to save money using multi-journey tickets and to look out for regular promotions. The current ‘Metro Fridays’ promotion very much supports the Travelwise NI ‘Once a Week’ campaign by encouraging people to use Metro on a Friday and take advantage of a range of special offers including cinema tickets and restaurant deals.
“Changes and investment in our services has led to many more people choosing the bus or train as their preferred choice of travel and we look forward to continuing to working closely with the Department for Regional Development and the Travelwise NI campaign to get more people out of the car and using sustainable transport.”
The launch of the Once a Week campaign marks the start of Travelwise Week in association with European Mobility Week (15-21 September). In addition to public and private sector employers the Minister has also written to each of the 108 MLAs to encourage them to get involved by travelling more wisely and providing information about how walking, cycling, car-sharing and public transport can be made more accessible and how it can benefit them.
Travelwise NI is an initiative of the Department for Regional Development and is supported by DOE Road Safety, Translink, Sustrans and the Health promotion Agency. To find out more information please visit www.travelwiseni.com or contact a member of the Travelwise NI team on 0845 378 0908
Ends
Notes to Editors:
• DRD Minister Conor Murphy MLA, Head of Travelwise NI & Translink’s Catherine Mason are available for interview on request
• The survey was conducted in Belfast on Wednesday 3rd September following the return of the schools. 500 commuters were surveyed
• 264 (53%) drove to work, 132 (26%) used public transport, 63 (13%) walked with 37 (7%) cycling
• 466 (93%) supported the Once a Week call with 34 (7%) opposed
• 423 (85%) said they would leave the car behind for one journey a week compared to 33 (7%) who said no and 8% who made no comment
• 276 (55%) said they were driving less due to increase in cost of fuel 135 (27%) were not driving less and 89 (18%) were unsure
• 221 (44%) spent extra £10-£20 per week on fuel; 153 (31%) spent £20-£50, 56 (11%) spent under £10; 14 (3%) spent £50-£100 with 11% unsure
• 189 (38%) were interested in car-sharing, 152 (30%) public transport, 80 (16%) walking, 24 (5%) cycling and 11% unsure
• 371 (74%) said financial savings would be biggest incentive to change ways, 51 (10%) said environmental, 21 (4%) time savings, 32 (6%) health benefits and 6% unsure
• 239 (48%) spent 1-2hours commuting per day, 159 (32%) 30mins – 1 hour, 78 (16%) less than 30mins, 14 (3%) 2-3 hours and 5 (1%) 3-5 hours
• The Translink Metro Friday’s campaign aims to encourage more commuters to use Metro on Fridays and enjoy the freedom to have a drink or meal with friends, go shopping or catch the latest blockbuster. As an added incentive Metro has teamed up with Botanic Inns, Odeon Cinema, Nando’s and Pizza Hut to provide a range of offers on presentation of a valid Metro ticket and, in addition, a new promotional single £1 fare will be available after 7pm.
• Translink research has shown that there are considerable cost savings to be made using public transport instead of car travel. The following examples were calculated using AA ‘cost per mile’ data, car parking charges and Translink fares as at 9 September 2008.
- Antrim Road to Belfast City Centre by Metro – save £1497.60 per year.
- Lisburn to Belfast City Centre by NI Railways – save £2283 per year
- Magherafelt to Belfast City Centre by Ulsterbus – save £4032.70 per year
Media Notice:
• Media launch Monday 15 September 09.30 at Parliament Buildings, Stormont
• DRD Minister Conor Murphy MLA, Head of Travelwise NI & Translink’s Chief Executive Catherine Mason are available for interview on request
• Interview, filming and photography opportunities are available
• Contact: Ross Williamson, Inform Communications Tel: 028 9023 3550 Mob: 07734821070
Notes to Editors
• Return fare on the steam train is £4. Tickets are available from:
- Millennium Court, Information Centre, William St, Portadown
- Portadown Railway Station
- Winnie’s Newspapers, Portadown
- Onboard train
• Competition draw will take place on Saturday 20th September in Portadown Railway Station. Prizes include: 2x family rail return tickets to Dublin and 6x one day Freedom of Northern Ireland tickets. Competition entry forms are available from 15 – 20 September at:
- Portadown Railway Station
- Lisburn Railway Station
- Millennium Court, Information Centre, William St, Portadown
- Winnie’s Newspapers, Portadown
- Selected venues in town centre
• Steam Train Timetable:
- Departure Lisburn - Portadown: 10.40am and 12.40pm (stopping in Moira)
- Departure Portadown - Lisburn: 13.35pm and 16.05pm (stopping in Moira)
• Promotional third off fares on NI Railways:
Applies to adult & child fares for travel within Northern Ireland only. Available for travel after 9.30am.
- 33% reducation available on standard NI Railways Day Return tickets (adult or child)
- Rounding of fares will apply
- Available on all NIR services within Northern Ireland only
- Promotional single fare not available
- Tickets must be purchased for travel after 9.30am. Return travel is permitted at any time during the day of ticket issue.
- Not valid in conjunction with any other offer
- Promotional fare that may be withdrawn at any time.
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