... while Ballymoney Station will be facing the TIDY test !

The ‘TIDY Translink Awards’ recognise the efforts of Translink employees who go the extra mile in creating a more attractive bus and rail network. Stations are rigorously assessed by TIDY Northern Ireland in their bid to achieve a Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum TIDY award standard.

Environmental performance assessment categories include: general cleanliness; litter awareness; graffiti awareness; exterior maintenance; waste management; Translink brand; facility enhancement; community involvement; energy management and environmental communication.

Last year, Ballymoney Train Station received a Silver Award.

Translink group environmental manager Andy Bate says the company has seen a big improvement in facilities across the network since the Awards first took place back in 2007:

“There is no doubt that over the past six years our employees have made a concerted effort to ensure facilities are clean, tidy and environmentally-friendly. In fact, last year we achieved our best-ever set of results. Attractive facilities can be enjoyed by both our employees and customers and have contributed to the growing numbers of people travelling with us.

“TIDY Translink forms an important part of our overall ‘Go Eco’ business approach in which we are committed to caring for the environment and strive for continuous environmental performance improvement right across the company.

“We are again asking employees to take those extra steps that will ensure they maintain or exceed last year’s strong set of results. We also hope our passengers will continue to support our efforts to provide attractive facilities in their area,” said Andy.

TIDY Northern Ireland’s local environmental quality officer Chris Allen said: “it’s great to see that Translink staff have taken environmental management and social quality to heart.”

The excellent results from previous years show what can be achieved with a little effort. I’ve really seen the difference in some of the stations over the last few years, and when I ask passengers about their experience they tell me how much more open and welcoming the stations are now too.”