03/03/09
FPT NI Companies En Route to Greater Success for Passengers!
Release to: Coach Journals
Date: October 2009
Title: FPT NI Companies En Route to Greater Success for Passengers!
The Federation of Passenger Transport, Northern Ireland, LTD (FPT NI) held its annual Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony in the Galgorm Manor Hotel, on Saturday 20TH February. Some 200 members and guests attended the event. FPT NI is the trade body promoting the use of public transport and represents the provinces leading bus and coach operators.
Guests at the event included the Mr Edwin Poots , Environment Minister, the Deputy Mayor of Ballymena and national and local government representatives. The Consumer Council for Northern Ireland were also in attendance and as always, the evening was very well supported by key industry suppliers like Plaxton , Scania, Volvo , EVM Ltd, Fast, Moseley and other local service providers. The financial, insurance and legal services sector was also represented, and among the local businesses who attended were Wrightbus, Junction One and Ciga Healthcare.
Karen Magill, the Federation ‘s Chief Executive , welcomed members and guests and absent friends and went on to highlight how much had been achieved in 2009, by members, the organisation and the passenger transport industry. FPTNI members themselves , had she said, not only weathered the harsh economic climate , but continued to offer their passengers improved services with new facilities and initiatives like WiFi, online booking, I-Link, Bus-Plus and Tax Save. Much, Karen added, had been achieved on an operational level for members with more plans for more services for all members in 2010. Offers from supplier members continued in 2009 with Junction One , Stenaline and Europa General presenting even more benefits for FPTNI members. Karen then welcomed Plaxton , the most recent supplier member to join the organisation.
In terms of the passenger transport industry , Karen told guests that the industry had never been in such a strong position with all the relevant stakeholders working together to move the industry forward and the Public Transport Reform process which sets out a new 3 tier structure and integration with all transport operators being proposed.. The most significant achievement , Karen added , both for the passengers and the transport operators in N.I., who were serious about the industry was the very recent decision by DOE Minister to review Operator Licensing. Karen reminded everyone that this was one of the main reasons that the organisation had been established and despite 7 long years of previously trying to get DOE to review operator licensing , it was Minister Poots who had actually put the process in place.
Karen then invited Mr Edwin Poots , Minister of the Environment to address the guests.
Minister Poots , highlighted the need for the reform of operator licensing considering the fact that transport providers carry the most precious cargo , people , including our children and we must ensure that they are protected from those operators who do not comply with the law. In addition, the Minister added that it was vital to ensure that the strictest safety standards were in place in terms of vehicles and drivers. The Minister also stressed the need to ensure a fairer system for transport operators because those who do comply with the law are able to undercut those who do and are seriously affecting businesses and putting passengers at risk. The Minister continued by adding that the process for the reform of operator licensing had started and even though it would not be completed within the term of this Assembly , the building blocks had been laid and DOE , FPTNI and others would continue in their efforts to see the reform process completed.
Following a superb meal and service by the Galgorm Manor, the evening continued with the Awards Ceremony. The industry judge Mr Rob Orchard, from leading trade magazine Bus and Coach Buyer, told the guests that he was overwhelmed by the progress and the massive improvements made by the local operators not just in terms of their fleets and facilities but also their commitment, enthusiasm and optimism. He said that FPT members , both public and private were leading the way for all operators who were serious about their role in the future of transport in NI and that urged them to continue to work together as a unified force for the good of passengers and the whole industry.
FPT N. I. Chairman, Mr William Wright then made closing comments. Mr Wright told guests that the existence of such a trade body is critical to the continued progress of passenger transport in Northern Ireland and having direct access to the local Assembly up was making a difference for the organisation and industry. Mr Wright went on to say how impressed he was by the progress and the massive improvements made by local operators in terms of their fleets and facilities. He continued by reminding operators that although times were difficult, there were still opportunities for them to respond to passengers who were now choosing to use public transport instead of their cars. Mr Wright then commended the collective working partnerships between transport public and private fleet providers and stressed that these should continue as it was a successful formula for delivering additional benefits for passengers. He commended Karen Magill and the FPTNI Executive Committee for their hard work throughout the year and said it was a very significant achievement to have 2 Ministers attending 2 events in two days. Mr Wright then told the guests that as FPTNI President, he was handing the Chairmanship to Mr John Smith who had been a very capable Vice Chair and that he had every confidence in his leadership and in the Executive Committee. Mr Wright then finished by thanking the hotel for a superb meal and service. He also thanked all those who had taken the time to attend on the evening and for their support of the organization throughout the year.
The evening concluded with entertainment and a prize draw and the chosen charity to benefit from this years ceremony was the British Heart Foundation.
