New Inter-state Facilities in Ireland
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po LANS for closer co-operation between
Coras lompair Eireann and the Ulster Transport Authority were disclosed by Mr. A. G. Algeo. U.T.A. chairman, at a dinner in Londonderry last week.
The first move was the introduction of an express coach service between Dublin and Londonderry. This route was inaugurated on Monday, with two services in each direction on weekdays and Sundays. It is the first inter-state express coach service linking two cities in Ireland, although there are a number of crossborder routes already in operation. Vehicles employed on the service have semi-luxury 41-seater bodywork, and are one-man operated, but it is expected that new coaches with air conditioning, toilet accommodation and luxury seating will be employed later. The distance of 146 miles is covered in 4 hr. 25 min.
At present U.T.A. vehicles operate from Derry to Dublin and back, and those of C.I.E. from Dublin to Derry and back, the drivers changing over midway. A break of 15 min. is made at Monaghan, where arrangements have been made for a tea-trolley service. Intending passengers ' purchase their tickets before boarding the coach; the single through fare is 35s. Mr. A30
Algeo said that if this new service proved successful other inter-state routes, making full use of proposed new roads and motorways, may be introduced.
As a result of discussions between C.I.E. and U.T.A. a 15-day all-Ireland ticket is being introduced which will be valid for travel on road and rail services of both undertakings (except Dublin city services and motor coach tours) and will cost £11, with second-class rail. A similar eight-day all-Ireland ticket is being introduced for the 1965 tourist season for sale exclusively in the North American market (this costing £9, with a £3 supplement for first-class on rail).
The "Happy Wanderer" Freedom-ofNorthern-Ireland ticket that the U.T.A. introduced in 1960 has proved highly successful, said Mr. Algeo, sales increasing from 972 at the outset to 3,023 last year. This is a seven-day ticket for all toad and rail services (including day coach tours) within Northern Ireland at a fare of 70s. A six-day regional ticket is now to be introduced by U.T.A. at 30s. The regions are the north-east (Co. Antrim) and the south-east (Co. Down); in this case motor coach tours are excluded.