TRANSLINK: AN INTEGRATED SYSTEM

In Northern Ireland, Translink owns and operates the entire public transport system of trains, buses, city buses and the associated infrastructure. The development of Translink is described. There has never been any attempt at privatisation of the network, possibly because of the political situation. Translink now has bus and train schedules that link up, allowing through journeys. Information is available from a combined bus and rail call centre. New integrated bus and rail stations have been developed at Coleraine and Bangor. A single ticketing system for bus and rail services is being developed. Fares are lower than in Britain. New trains are being built by CAF of Spain for Northern Ireland Railways (NIR) and infrastructure upgrading is underway. The overall subsidy received by NIR is relatively modest. The Belfast-Dublin 'Enterprise' service is a successful joint operation between NIR and Irish Rail.