Downpatrick Bus Station has received a platinum “SPIRIT of Translink Facility Award”. Pictured at the award presentation are Translink Environmental Manager Andy Bate, Jade Brennam, Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful and Downpatrick Inspector Greg McKernan.

Downpatrick Bus station has received a Platinum “SPIRIT of Translink Facility Award”.

The Awards, in partnership with Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful, are judged across key criteria assessing resource efficiency, energy and carbon, biodiversity, health and wellbeing activities; stakeholder, employee and community engagement as well as employee culture, behaviour and leadership. They embrace Translink’s corporate responsibility themes - Go Safe, Go Eco, Go Healthy and Go Together.

Other platinum winners are Antrim Bus and Train station; Craigavon bus station; Newry train station, Newry bus station, Foyle Street Buscentre and Strabane bus station.

36 Translink bus and train stations and depots took part in the 2018/2019 Awards and Translink plans to further expand the scheme with a commitment to enhancing customer experience and safety. The initiative also ensures adherence to the environmental-responsibility focus, making Northern Ireland a more attractive place to live and work while supporting the local economy.

Translink Environmental Manager Andy Bate said: “The judges gauge how our employees contribute to delivering our corporate values; what we call the SPIRIT of Translink - Safety, People, Innovation, Responsibility, Integrity and Teamwork, making a positive and lasting difference, improving the passenger journey experience, demonstrating the company’s corporate responsibility focus and instilling a sense of pride in our work space.

Andy continued: “Judges will, for example, check for evidence that unnecessary lights are switched off through to staff seeking new ways to use water more efficiently within the Resource Efficiency category. While for Biodiversity, they will look at flower displays/vegetated areas through to practical conservation initiatives and habitat creation; carried out in partnership with a local group or community.”

He concluded: “Congratulations to all the winners of the SPIRIT of Translink Facility Awards. The fact that Newry Train station and Foyle Street bus station achieved marks of 100% shows the high standards being achieved. I look forward to even more Translink facilities taking part in these awards and maintaining high standards for our passengers and staff.”

The SPIRIT of Translink Awards are independently judged by Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful. Chief Executive Ian Humphreys said: “The Spirit of Translink Facility Awards demonstrate Translink’s commitment to providing the best possible experiences for passengers and the general public, while also taking action to ensure the organisation is environmentally responsible. The awards empower Translink’s staff to take positive action through promoting the ethos of Go Eco, Go Healthy, Go Together and Go Safe. This year a number of stations achieved a platinum award, including two stations that achieved a score of 100% during their assessments. This reflects the hard work and dedication of all those who are involved in the scheme.”