Menu
12/05/2009
Consumer Council Slams Translink Fares Increase
Transport fares in Northern Ireland are to increase by up to 2% on Metro and local Ulsterbus and 3% on Northern Ireland Railways local fares.
However, there won't be increases in the prices of Metro Smartlink and Ulsterbus multi-journey. Metro day ticket are also held at the current price, but most cash fare tickets are to increase by 10p. Weekly and monthly Metro travel cards fares have also been held. Rails fares up by 10p.
The change on the prices will be applied next Monday, despite the disagreement of the NI Consumer Council. The institution has been discussing the measures with Translink in an extended consultation that ended today.
Spokesman for Translink, Ciaran Rogan, said: "We have worked hard to respond in a balanced way to make sure our customers have money saving choices.
"Increases in fares have been kept to a minimum with many multi-journey ticket prices held."
"Also, we have engaged with the Consumer Council of Northern Ireland so they may be assured that negative impact on customers is kept to a minimum," he added.
But Interim Chief Executive of the Consumer Council, Donna Magee, said that they weren't "fully consulted at the outset of this fares revision".
According to a statement on the Consumer Council webpage, they are "dissatisfied that Translink has not done enough to lessen the impact of the latest fares revision on passengers".
Magee said: "The largest increase has been taken off the table (Translink had proposed to increase the cost of an Ulsterbus town service day ticket by 41%) but sadly, the extra time has not produced a much better result for bus and rail passengers."
The NI Minister for Regional Development, Conor Murphy, said that although fare hikes are never popular, the commercial reality is that "the only alternative at this time to fare increases is compulsory job losses and a review of current levels of service".
Translink’s Spokerman admitted that the company will face financial pressures in the year ahead.
(AC/BMcC)
However, there won't be increases in the prices of Metro Smartlink and Ulsterbus multi-journey. Metro day ticket are also held at the current price, but most cash fare tickets are to increase by 10p. Weekly and monthly Metro travel cards fares have also been held. Rails fares up by 10p.
The change on the prices will be applied next Monday, despite the disagreement of the NI Consumer Council. The institution has been discussing the measures with Translink in an extended consultation that ended today.
Spokesman for Translink, Ciaran Rogan, said: "We have worked hard to respond in a balanced way to make sure our customers have money saving choices.
"Increases in fares have been kept to a minimum with many multi-journey ticket prices held."
"Also, we have engaged with the Consumer Council of Northern Ireland so they may be assured that negative impact on customers is kept to a minimum," he added.
But Interim Chief Executive of the Consumer Council, Donna Magee, said that they weren't "fully consulted at the outset of this fares revision".
According to a statement on the Consumer Council webpage, they are "dissatisfied that Translink has not done enough to lessen the impact of the latest fares revision on passengers".
Magee said: "The largest increase has been taken off the table (Translink had proposed to increase the cost of an Ulsterbus town service day ticket by 41%) but sadly, the extra time has not produced a much better result for bus and rail passengers."
The NI Minister for Regional Development, Conor Murphy, said that although fare hikes are never popular, the commercial reality is that "the only alternative at this time to fare increases is compulsory job losses and a review of current levels of service".
Translink’s Spokerman admitted that the company will face financial pressures in the year ahead.
(AC/BMcC)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
12 December 2014
Translink Fares To Increase
Fares are to increase on Metro, train and bus service from February, Translink has said. From Monday 16 February next year, most Metro fares are to rise by 10p, while Ulsterbus and NI Railways fares will increase by 4% and 4.5% on average, respectively.
Translink Fares To Increase
Fares are to increase on Metro, train and bus service from February, Translink has said. From Monday 16 February next year, most Metro fares are to rise by 10p, while Ulsterbus and NI Railways fares will increase by 4% and 4.5% on average, respectively.
15 March 2006
Bus and rail fares set to increase
Bus and rail fares are to increase by 9% by the end of March, Translink has announced today. From March 27, the cost of using the Metro service will increase by 7%, with Ulsterbus and NIR fares both rising by 9%. Translink have blamed the hike on the impact of rising energy prices, which has resulted in the additional cost of fuel.
Bus and rail fares set to increase
Bus and rail fares are to increase by 9% by the end of March, Translink has announced today. From March 27, the cost of using the Metro service will increase by 7%, with Ulsterbus and NIR fares both rising by 9%. Translink have blamed the hike on the impact of rising energy prices, which has resulted in the additional cost of fuel.
16 February 2015
Translink Price Hikes In Effect
Increases to prices across Translink's services have come into effect, following two years of being frozen. Most Metro fares have increased by 10p, while Ulsterbus journeys have increased on average by 4% and NI Railways 4.5%. The increase in prices is above the rate of inflation.
Translink Price Hikes In Effect
Increases to prices across Translink's services have come into effect, following two years of being frozen. Most Metro fares have increased by 10p, while Ulsterbus journeys have increased on average by 4% and NI Railways 4.5%. The increase in prices is above the rate of inflation.
29 November 2022
One Million Contactless Journeys Made On Metro
One million journeys using contactless payment methods have been made across Translink Metro services in Belfast since the new technology came into force earlier this year. Passengers can use their smartwatches, phones, credit or debit cards to 'Tap On' board any Metro services with fares capped to offer affordability and flexibility.
One Million Contactless Journeys Made On Metro
One million journeys using contactless payment methods have been made across Translink Metro services in Belfast since the new technology came into force earlier this year. Passengers can use their smartwatches, phones, credit or debit cards to 'Tap On' board any Metro services with fares capped to offer affordability and flexibility.
12 March 2008
Multi-Tickets Prices Held As Fares Rise
Bus and train company Translink has chosen UK budget day to announce that fares in Northern Ireland are to rise by up to 5% from later this month.
Multi-Tickets Prices Held As Fares Rise
Bus and train company Translink has chosen UK budget day to announce that fares in Northern Ireland are to rise by up to 5% from later this month.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
