Cross Border Services 16/17 Dec 2006

Mark Gleeson · 10-11-2006, 17:08

As usual the boys in Translink are on the ball, well they are better than IE who have no notice online at this time

Quote:

Enterprise - Line Closure, 16th & 17th December 10-Nov-2006 13:18
Due to essential engineering work, the cross-border railway line will be closed between Newry and Dundalk on Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th December 2006.

A bus substitution will operate between Newry and Dundalk in both directions for cross-border passengers. As a result, Enterprise services will be subject to delay.

For further information, please contact the Translink Call Centre on (028) 90 66 66 30 (seven days, 7am to 8pm).

Note the different approach from translink

1) Date and time notice placed online given
2) Clear contact information for further information
3) Over 4 weeks notice given, with IE 3 days is the best you can expect

Oisin88 · 10-11-2006, 18:34

As a matter of interest, how will Irish rail delaying their new timetable until January affect the Belfast timetable? Will Translink have to wait too if they have changes to the enterprise?

Mark Gleeson · 10-11-2006, 18:53

Current timetable was issued 16/01/06 no date for its expiry given

Rare to see any change anyway, and before anyone asks the timetable deferal has zlich to to do with NIR

Mark Gleeson · 09-12-2006, 14:34

So a month later IE actually admit to the issue

I didn't see any notices in Connolly yesterday either

Quote:

Railway Bridge improvement work between Dundalk and Newry next Weekend - Sat 16 & Sun 17 by Corporate Communications

Iarnrod Eireann regret to inform our customers that the Belfast line will be closed for rail services between Dundalk and Newry for the weekend of Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th December. This is to facilitate the upgrade of a rail bridge on the Northern line North of Dundalk.

Please note Delays of approximately one hour will occur.

On both days Enterprise services will operate to/from Dundalk and to/from Newry on the Northern side. Customers will transfer between Dundalk and Newry by bus.

Iarnrod Eireann apologise any inconvenience this essential work may cause.

alek smart · 09-12-2006, 21:01

Quote: Iarnrod Eireann.
Railway Bridge improvement work between Dundalk and Newry next Weekend - Sat 16 & Sun 17 by Corporate Communications

Iarnrod Eireann regret to inform our customers that the Belfast line will be closed for rail services between Dundalk and Newry for the weekend of Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th December. This is to facilitate the upgrade of a rail bridge on the Northern line North of Dundalk.

Please note Delays of approximately one hour will occur.

On both days Enterprise services will operate to/from Dundalk and to/from Newry on the Northern side. Customers will transfer between Dundalk and Newry by bus.

Iarnrod Eireann apologise any inconvenience this essential work may cause.

Quote:Translink.
Enterprise - Line Closure, 16th & 17th December 10-Nov-2006 13:18
Due to essential engineering work, the cross-border railway line will be closed between Newry and Dundalk on Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th December 2006.

A bus substitution will operate between Newry and Dundalk in both directions for cross-border passengers. As a result, Enterprise services will be subject to delay.

For further information, please contact the Translink Call Centre on (028) 90 66 66 30 (seven days, 7am to 8pm).

Its worth noting the hugely dissimilar approach to this essentially simple piece of Information.
Our version is a model of nicety itself with full reasons for the closure especially the bit of oul spin about it being "Improvement" work.
Also note the use of the that nice liberal sounding term "Customer" followed closely by that most important item the "Apology" for any inconvienence.

The Red Hand version uses considerably less insincere flowery (and expensive) PR prose.
"Essential"engineering work.
"Passengers."
"Subject to Delay"
The text is simplicity itself with,as already pointed out,some stuff of actual value such as Telephone Number and date of Posting.

I wonder is Translinks PR an in-house job or do both orginizations outsource....?

Mark Gleeson · 09-12-2006, 21:24

Translink are a straight talking outfit, the PR is out sourced.

Prompt and functional information is the norm along with a precise date and time of posting, they will be specific to the level of listing the effect on each train. The phoneline is open greater hours than IE's one

IE have a massive PR machine with at least 3 staff but still can't get information available in a prompt fashion ands as pointed out above the language used is spin

And its not an improvement its related to a new road so it there is no positive effect on passengers either now or in the future

Derek Wheeler · 09-12-2006, 23:19

The work is related to the N1/A1 Dundalk - Newry link road.

Its funny though, because, while IE refer to it as " an upgrade of a railway bridge" and make it sound like work that will benefit the railway, its actualy work that will make the "drive" time quicker for the private car and bus.

Only in Ireland.

"Slow, unreliable railway closes for 2 days to facilitate much quicker road alternative."

You have to laugh.

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10-11-2006, 18:34	#2
Oisin88 Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Dublin Posts: 608	As a matter of interest, how will Irish rail delaying their new timetable until January affect the Belfast timetable? Will Translink have to wait too if they have changes to the enterprise?

10-11-2006, 18:53	#3
Mark Gleeson Technical Officer Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Coach C, Seat 33 Posts: 12,669	Current timetable was issued 16/01/06 no date for its expiry given Rare to see any change anyway, and before anyone asks the timetable deferal has zlich to to do with NIR

09-12-2006, 21:01	#5
alek smart Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 144	Quote: Iarnrod Eireann. Railway Bridge improvement work between Dundalk and Newry next Weekend - Sat 16 & Sun 17 by Corporate Communications Iarnrod Eireann regret to inform our customers that the Belfast line will be closed for rail services between Dundalk and Newry for the weekend of Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th December. This is to facilitate the upgrade of a rail bridge on the Northern line North of Dundalk. Please note Delays of approximately one hour will occur. On both days Enterprise services will operate to/from Dundalk and to/from Newry on the Northern side. Customers will transfer between Dundalk and Newry by bus. Iarnrod Eireann apologise any inconvenience this essential work may cause. Quote:Translink. Enterprise - Line Closure, 16th & 17th December 10-Nov-2006 13:18 Due to essential engineering work, the cross-border railway line will be closed between Newry and Dundalk on Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th December 2006. A bus substitution will operate between Newry and Dundalk in both directions for cross-border passengers. As a result, Enterprise services will be subject to delay. For further information, please contact the Translink Call Centre on (028) 90 66 66 30 (seven days, 7am to 8pm). Its worth noting the hugely dissimilar approach to this essentially simple piece of Information. Our version is a model of nicety itself with full reasons for the closure especially the bit of oul spin about it being "Improvement" work. Also note the use of the that nice liberal sounding term "Customer" followed closely by that most important item the "Apology" for any inconvienence. The Red Hand version uses considerably less insincere flowery (and expensive) PR prose. "Essential"engineering work. "Passengers." "Subject to Delay" The text is simplicity itself with,as already pointed out,some stuff of actual value such as Telephone Number and date of Posting. I wonder is Translinks PR an in-house job or do both orginizations outsource....?

09-12-2006, 21:24	#6
Mark Gleeson Technical Officer Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Coach C, Seat 33 Posts: 12,669	Translink are a straight talking outfit, the PR is out sourced. Prompt and functional information is the norm along with a precise date and time of posting, they will be specific to the level of listing the effect on each train. The phoneline is open greater hours than IE's one IE have a massive PR machine with at least 3 staff but still can't get information available in a prompt fashion ands as pointed out above the language used is spin And its not an improvement its related to a new road so it there is no positive effect on passengers either now or in the future

09-12-2006, 23:19	#7
Derek Wheeler Registered user Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Kildare Posts: 1,555	The work is related to the N1/A1 Dundalk - Newry link road. Its funny though, because, while IE refer to it as " an upgrade of a railway bridge" and make it sound like work that will benefit the railway, its actualy work that will make the "drive" time quicker for the private car and bus. Only in Ireland. "Slow, unreliable railway closes for 2 days to facilitate much quicker road alternative." You have to laugh.