Translink 'Steps Up' with £5M Investment in Newry Services

A fleet of 15 modern new Goldline coaches are set to enhance Translink’s 238 Service between Newry and Belfast and the X5 direct service between Newry and Dublin in an investment of £5m towards local services.

To mark the announcement  Translink and Skechers Ireland, surprised passengers with a pop-up shoe shop in the city’s Quays Shopping Centre, giving away free Skechers shoes to unsuspecting customers. 

The new high-tech coaches are equipped with the latest modern technology offering the highest levels of comfort with key features such as leather seats, USB charging points and seatback tables. They will also be amongst the most fuel efficient and environmentally friendly fleets in the region helping to improve local air quality.

The new fleet, to go into passenger service on Monday 21^st October, is Translink’s latest development in the Newry area.

Recently an enhanced 238 timetable was introduced incorporating a new weekend midnight service from Belfast and a new direct X5 service between Newry and Dublin is also growing in popularity.

Skechers Shoe Giveaway

Translink aim to get people to ‘Step-Up’ and think of public transport as a responsible and ‘greener’  travel choice, and an opportunity to easily clock-up additional steps and burn more calories as they walk to and from the bus or train.

Speaking about the Translink/ Skechers Ireland pop-up shoe shop, following a fantastic response from passengers, Greg McLaughlin, Translink said “We have seen strong passenger growth in our Newry to Belfast service and the new direct Dublin service is also performing well.  This considerable investment in local bus services for the Newry area will mean we can attract even more people to travel by coach as the better option to the car. 

“This has been a really interactive and fun way to engage the public and the response so far has been fantastic. Many of our customers tell us that public transport means they can get more ‘me time’ on board and become more active with a walk to the bus stop not to mention, allows them to reduce their own carbon footprint. Public transport is now considered the single greatest way individuals can help tackle climate change.

Our ‘step-up’ activity was a great way to raise awareness of these many benefits and encourage more people to join the growing generation of ‘smartmovers’.