Eye on Transport
Translink- the Road from COP26
It was a privilege for Translink to participate in the recent UN COP26 summit in Glasgow, where we updated a global stakeholder audience on the theme ‘Translink’s Transformative Journey to Decarbonise Public Transport in Northern Ireland’.
W
e joined businesses, academics and civil society organisations from across the world to contribute to the most important discussion facing our society today. COP26 has focused attention on the need to take climate action now to avoid the devastating impacts on people’s lives and while debate may continue on the final outcomes of the summit, there is no question that we all – individuals, businesses and governments alike – need to get to Net Zero as soon as possible. COP26 has proven that Translink’s #LetsChangeTogether message is timely, and the statistics back this up - in 2019, transport produced 27% of the UK’s total emissions – the large majority of this (91%) came from road transport. We want to
play our part in the Race to Zero. It must also be remembered that the significant worldwide improvements in global air quality during the various lockdowns in 2020 took place while bus and rail services continued to operate, providing much-needed services to keep our society moving during an unprecedented period. It is clear that public transport is key to any Net Zero strategy, and Translink wants to work with stakeholders across Northern Ireland to deliver the necessary changes to achieve Net Zero. Our own Climate Positive Strategy outlines our plans to achieve a fully Net Zero bus and rail fleet across our network by 2040. Going further, we aim to be a Climate Positive business by 2050. We are already making strong progress – in late 2020, we introduced
the first double deck hydrogen buses in Ireland, with more to follow in the coming months. We recently announced a £30m investment in Zero Emission battery-electric buses in Derry~Londonderry, which will make the Foyle Metro fleet fully Net Zero during 2023. A further 100 batteryelectric and hydrogen buses will enter service with Metro in Belfast in the coming months, making Translink the operator of the UK’s fourth-largest Zero Emission fleet by summer 2022. The entirety of the Belfast Metro fleet will be Zero Emission by 2030. On the railways, our first intermediate Class 4000 carriages have entered service, reducing emissions and allowing us to introduce seven new walkthrough six-car sets. These will be operational on the NI Railways network by the end of summer 2022, providing an additional 1,600 seats every day. We are also participating in the All-Island Strategic Railway Review, looking at potential expansion and enhancement of the network, including examining the option of electrification. Enhanced use of public transport will not only deliver environmental benefits; ending our reliance on the
car will promote active travel and healthier lifestyles, as well as reducing social and environmental inequality and improving our economy. A greater focus and investment in public transport will also reduce the number of cars on our roads, leading to a reduction in congestion and the rebirth of town and city centres as welcoming, environmentally friendly, active travel zones. COP26 has been an incentive for businesses and organisations to come together and inspire others to climate action. Taking public transport or other sustainable forms, such as walking or cycling, is an easy and effective way to make a difference as an individual, while also freeing up space in urban areas for people and active travel. Climate change is everyone’s business, not just Government. It’s time everyone took individual action as our legacy for future generations.
Find out more at www.translink.co.uk/ letschangetogether
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