7 minute read
Translink – Making Northern Ireland Better. Connected
EyeonTransport
Translink – Making Northern Ireland Better.Connected
An effective and successful public transport network is vital for the economic, social, and environmental wellbeing of our society. That’s why we are committed to continuing the transformation of public transport in Northern Ireland
Technological Shifts
We aim to reduce our emissions by 50% by 2030, and we are making strong progress – around 40% of our Metro fleet in Belfast already utilises Zero Emission technology, with the aim of having the entire Metro fleet reach this target by 2030. Substantial progress will also be made in Derry~Londonderry as early as 2023, when the entirety of the Foyle Metro fleet converts to Zero Emission technology.
Incorporating the potential for electric and hydrogen technologies, we are also developing an infrastructure strategy focused on decarbonising the NI Railways network; allied to this are our ongoing plans to grow capacity with the provision of new train carriages; 21 new intermediate carriages have been introduced this year, providing an additional 1,600 seats per day.
The shift to Net Zero is about more than just technological advances; it will help to reduce emissions and make our environment, including our urban areas where we want people to live, work and socialise, better, healthier places, thus driving economic activity.
The shift is also vital for public health - by 2035, 84,000 new cases of disease in Northern Ireland, directly associated with air pollution, are expected to have been recorded, at a projected cost to our health service of approximately £635m, according to recent Department of Health projections. It is essential that we all do what we can to help reduce this impact.
EyeonTransport
Rail Progress
There has been a significant focus on our rail network, with much interest in potential expansion and greater utilisation; we have participated in the All-Island Strategic Rail Review, expected to report in the coming months, which has examined options to expand the railway network and enable additional passenger capacity. This also has the potential to improve connections to ports and airports, subject to funding, as does our similar involvement in the UK Government’s Union Connectivity Review.
Enhancements to the flagship Enterprise service between Belfast and Dublin are also a priority, and we are working with colleagues in Irish Rail and the SEUPB Peace Plus project to invest in new rolling stock, introduce an hourly frequency, and deliver infrastructural improvements to reduce journey times, reflecting the importance and status of the vital cross-border corridor. We also plan to relocate the service to the new Belfast Grand Central Station.
Ongoing Enhancements
Belfast Grand Central Station is a key part of Translink’s investment in our facilities, all of which have an important role to play in building public transport use. Replacing existing facilities at Europa and Great Victoria Street and entering service in 2025, Belfast Grand Central is a hugely important transport-led regeneration project and Executive Flagship Project and will act as a key generator of economic growth and prosperity. The associated Weavers Cross development, with Belfast Grand Central at its heart, will be a new city neighbourhood, boasting a range of major commercial opportunities to support local investment and the economy, and act as a catalyst for regeneration in this part of the city centre.
We are also planning new passenger facilities at Ballymena, Lurgan and York Street in north Belfast, as well as enhancements to Botanic Train Station in south Belfast and a new halt to serve growing commuter need at Lisburn West. We are also planning Park and Ride upgrades, which are vital for our integrated transport network, across main routes into and out of Belfast. We are working with the Department for Infrastructure to finalise our plans for Glider phase 2 in Belfast, with an intention to build on the success of phase 1, connecting north and south Belfast via the city centre.
Our ticketing infrastructure is in the process of being revolutionised, with a focus on contactless, account-based ticketing and ease of use, integration, convenience and value, and a transition to a Tap On, Tap Off system, affording our customers a greater range of choices in how they acquire a ticket on our services.
The Role of Public Transport
Public transport is a vital link for many people, as well as offering an eco-friendly alternative to the private car and helping to provide more attractive urban centres.
Public transport is a cross-cutting service, impacting on all aspects of any Programme for Government - with the right investment and support from all sectors, Translink will grow and develop our public transport network, helping communities across Northern Ireland and delivering a truly sustainable future where everyone is Better. Connected.
More information is available online at www.translink.co.uk/ betterconnected
EyeonNews
Belfast based brand agency adds Nicole Scherzinger to its client list
Local brand design agency Anthology, with offices in Belfast and London, have developed the brand for Nicole Scherzinger’s debut luxury interiors and bedding collection called Nalu.
The Nalu range is manufactured and distributed under license by Bedeck – who also work with several other leading brands including Ted Baker, DKNY, Joules and Sanderson – across the UK and Ireland.
Although a relatively young agency, Anthology’s founders - Alan Marks and Alan Beck – bring unique experience to client briefs having worked with local brands and supported those businesses with design, sales and business consultancy as well as shaping their stories and brands. In addition, the duo spent four years working with many global brands including Dove, Unilever and Cadbury on the international stage and developing a network of design studios throughout the world.
Alan Marks said, “Our experience gained over years working with both local and global brands enabled us to bring huge insight to this project including how global brands work and develop their products.”
Working closely with Nicole, her team and Bedeck, the whole brand project took place over the last 12 months. Alan Beck explains, “We took Nicole and her team through the branding process including creating a name, personality and style, art directed imagery of the product and of Nicole and developed packaging design. Nicole was incredibly involved in the process which we feel comes through in the brand. She was a pleasure to work with and we wish her the best of luck with the launch of Nalu.”
Alan adds, “Nalu is a word originating from Nicole’s birthplace, Hawaii, but it encapsulates much more than one simple meaning. It’s more of an idea than a single word, a concept that means ‘the natural, tranquil, repetitive motion of ocean waves and also to contemplate calmly and unravel complexity through composed thought.’ This concept is very close to Nicole’s heart and focuses on achieving balance and embracing tranquility.”
Speaking about her new brand Nicole Scherzinger said, “The Nalu brand brings together my love of art and Asian heritage with my Palawan design. I really enjoyed working with the whole creative team. They really understood what I wanted to achieve with the Nalu brand and their knowledge made the process a great experience for me.”
Nalu is available via Next, Very and Bedeck.
Visit https://anthologyworks. com/ for further information.
AIB will allocate €700,000 to charities chosen by its customers and the public while €300,000 will go to charities chosen by the bank’s employees. A proportion of the total fund will be distributed in the UK following an online nomination process, one for customers/ public and one for employees. The bank is asking its customers and the wider public to nominate registered charities that connect with causes that matter most to them and their communities. Nominations in the UK are open from 23 June 2022 and will close on 14 July 2022. The nomination form and full details on the AIB Community €1 Million Fund are available on the bank’s website.* Customers and the public are required to submit the registration number of the charity they are nominating in order to complete the form. Michelle Emerson, Chair of AIB’s UK Charity Forum said: “I am delighted to launch the UK nomination process for the AIB Community Fund which will support local charities right here in Northern Ireland and in Great Britain. We are inviting
AIB Group has launched the AIB Community €1 Million Fund to support over 30 charitable organisations in communities across the UK and Ireland. our customers and the public to nominate the charities that are close to their hearts and that they would like to see supported by the fund. Our hope is that this funding will help make a real difference to those who are working tirelessly for the benefit of their local communities and the most vulnerable in society.’’ The AIB Community €1 Million Fund follows other charitable initiatives already undertaken by AIB in the UK including the bank’s association Michelle Emerson, Chair of AIB’s UK Charity Forum with Cancer Research UK.
