£0.8million boost for commuters

Transport Minister Danny Kennedy and Translink Group Chief Executive Catherine Mason unveiled the £800,000 investment this week.

The site now offers 295 spaces for commuters to use and aims to support the planned introduction of new Class 4000 trains on the Larne Railway Line this autumn.

Mr Kennedy hoped the improved park and ride would encourage more people in the area to choose the train, as well as helping to accommodate growing passenger numbers and alleviate traffic congestion in the local area.

He added: “The park and ride initiative forms an important part of my Department’s plans to provide customers with integrated and attractive travel solutions. In recent years, the number of sites and spaces have been increased and are extensively used by the travelling public right across the network. There are now over 4,800 parking spaces at park and ride sites around Northern Ireland.

“The opening of this new facility is timely as it will support the planned introduction of the new Class 4000 trains on the Larne line. My Department is providing funding of £114 million to purchase 20 new trains and all of the old trains currently operating on the Larne line will be replaced.”

The extension of Carrick train station has created an additional 169 car parking spaces at the site, including 15 bays for people with reduced mobility.

The development was welcomed by Roy Beggs MLA, DRD Committee member at Stormont. “The new Park and Ride facilities will compliment the new quota of trains that are soon to be rolled out on the Larne line this Autumn,” he said.

Fellow UUP representatives Cllrs Beryl McKnight and Andrew Wilson also commended the new facilities, hoping that they would ease traffic congestion on the A2 as well as encouraging more people to take the train to work or on shopping trips.

Translink Group Chief Executive Catherine Mason said: “Having great park and ride facilities like these for our customers is all part of our drive to provide good value, attractive integrated travel solutions. This newly extended facility will play an important role in meeting the needs of our passengers in East Antrim.

“We have frozen our fares at last year’s levels until next year so we also want to remind commuters that using the train could help save them money in these austere times.

“We offer a range of value for money tickets for both commuters and leisure travellers and this new extended facility now makes it even easier for passengers to interchange between the car and train. As we head into the busy autumn period when traffic congestion is expected to increase, we would encourage more consumers to try the service and start reducing their fuel costs and car parking fees.

“Over half a million passenger journeys are already made annually to and from Carrickfergus Station. With an attractive timetable, including express journeys between Carrick and Belfast taking less than 20 minutes and new trains starting to be introduced on the Larne line we are looking forward to attracting even more people to choose the train as the better, convenient hassle-free way to travel.”

Scott Kennerley of the Consumer Council welcomed the opening of the improved park and ride facilities in Carrick.

“At a time when petrol and diesel costs remain at consistently high levels it is essential that the Department for Regional Development provide accessible public transport alternatives,” he concluded.