New buses roll into Lisburn

The buses, including ten new Metro single decks buses and 27 Metro/Ulsterbus Midibuses will replace all Lisburn City Services and Coleraine Town Services.

The Department was successful in securing £2.5m funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through The European Sustainable Competitiveness Programme for Northern Ireland 2007-2013 for the Clean Urban Transport project.

Transport Minister, Danny Kennedy said: “This is a very significant and strategically important investment in the Translink fleet.

“The funding I secured from the European Sustainable Competitiveness Programme for Northern Ireland was an essential element in the overall investment.

“In delivering these improvements our customers will go on to see that the standard of the news buses is simply outstanding.

“Compared to the vehicles being replaced, the modern vehicles are smoother, quieter, more fuel efficient and more environmentally-friendly. In fact, these new buses are amongst the first vehicles in Northern Ireland to meet the latest Euro VI emission standards driven by the European Commission making them some of the most fuel efficient and environmentally friendly buses in the region.

“These new vehicles replace older vehicles within the fleet which will be retired from passenger services and will help ensure that Northern Ireland bus journeys continue to offer customers a modern, attractive transport option and travel more sustainably.”

Lisburn Councillor Alexander Redpath welcomed the investment. “ I hope service users will enjoy the new buses and that they contribute positively to their experience of Ulsterbus.”

David Strahan, Translink Group Chief Executive said, “We very much welcome this investment and EU funding and thank the Minister and his Department.”