Translink is transforming public transport in Belfast in line with its Vision ‘To be your first choice for travel in Northern Ireland’. The new Belfast Rapid Transit ‘Glider’, which will be introduced in September is a new, innovative mode of travel, set to further enhance the image of the City and inspire more people to choose public transport.
Translink’s Environmental Manager Andy Bate said “An efficient public transport system delivers energy efficient and low-carbon mobility and our new eco-hybrid Glider vehicles will bring a further step change in helping to reduce emissions and improve air quality along the routes. We have also invested over £5m in new Metro buses last year which meet the latest Euro VI emission standards ensuring we have some of the most fuel efficient and environmentally friendly buses in the region”.
“Translink also considers its environmental footprint in many other ways, notably within the design and construction of its supporting facilities. The new Milewater Service Centre, currently under construction by local construction company, Henry Brothers, is a purpose-built facility to service, maintain and repair the Glider fleet and other Translink buses”, Andy concluded.
Charlene Jones, Henry Brothers Group Environment and Quality Manager said: “Sound environmental practices are integral to the new service centre project, from construction through to operational aspects, with rain water harvesting tanks with capacity of over 100,000 Litres, a grey water recycling system for the bus-wash wastewater, solar panels, and energy efficient lighting.
Charlene continued: “We are also keen to protect and conserve local biodiversity with construction workers planting out redundant hard-hats around the site, constructing outdoor seating areas with planter beds using recovered timber from the project and implementing best practice measures to protect a Great Black-Backed Gull which had established a nest on site”.
Translink and Henry Brothers are both Platinum scoring members of the Business in the Community Business & Biodiversity Charter.