The integration of Citybus, Northern Ireland Railways and Ulsterbus began in January 1995 when the government announced comprehensive changes to the provision of public transport. The principal objective was to promote the transfer from private car to public transport on a sustainable basis and the co-ordination of bus and rail services.
Among the many measures to be introduced was the new policy of co-ordination between the bus companies, Citybus and Ulsterbus, and the railway company, NI Railways. The aim was to improve services for the public by offering co-ordinated timetables, through-ticketing, feeder buses to railway stations and the joint development of transport facilities.
Since the announcement, a common management structure has been developed, reporting to a single Board. The Managing Director, Ted Hesketh, was appointed in August 1995.
The organisation is now one of the largest companies in Northern Ireland with approximately 3,500 employees and a turnover in excess of £100m. Over 75 million passenger journeys are made on Translink services each year.
