Translink has introduced yLink, a new smartcard for all young people aged 16 to 23 years, which will provide a third off travel on bus and rail services in Northern Ireland and up to 50% off cross border Enterprise fares.

The new youth card which replaces the current Translink student discount card will be more inclusive with everyone from the ages of 16 to 23 eligible to apply whether they are in full time education; serving an apprenticeship; just starting out in their career or otherwise.  The card costs £8 with no annual renewal charge, so the earlier you buy the greater the opportunity to avail of up to eight years worth of savings.

Norman Maynes, Head of Business Development at Translink explained: “Young people represent over a third of our passengers and play an important role in the future growth of our services.    We have worked closely with the Translink Youth Forum to develop this new card with the objective of making bus and rail travel more attractive and accessible than ever before.

“With great everyday value travel discounts, yLink will help young people make their money go that bit further.  As many of our young people do not yet drive, they rely on us to get them to where they need to be.   We hope yLink will encourage more 16 to 23 year olds to stay with us or indeed use our services more often and enjoy the financial and environmental benefits of using the bus and train, particularly as we see the cost of private motoring continue to rise.

Mr Maynes continues, “yLink provides great savings on Metro, Ulsterbus, NI Railways, Goldline and our Enterprise services.  For those who attend the University of Ulster at Jordanstown, we also offer special UniLink smartcard services where students can save up to £2.96 per journey[1] when compared to travelling by private car.

“As well as providing up to eight years of travel savings we have teamed up with a number of partners to offer exclusive yLink money can’t buy experiences.  Whether its test driving a train simulator; joining the Cool FM breakfast team; going behind the scenes with a leading magazine or coordinating a photo shoot we can offer young people great experiences which will not only be interesting but also look great on a CV.

“Finally, we have partnered with a number of outlets to offer discounts for our yLink users.  The special offers include gym passes; styling and hairdressing sessions; cinema entrances; fashion stores discounts; coffee and pizza special offers and discounted entry into a host of activity centres so there should be plenty to suit everyone’s tastes,” concluded Norman. 

Full details of yLink including the ylink experiences and special offers can be viewed online at www.translink.co.uk/ylink or on Translink Facebook and Twitter accounts.

ENDSFor further information contactLouise Carson or Patrick Finlay at Aiken PRTel, 028 90 663000 or Patrick@aikenpr.co.uk

Notes to Editor

• The yLink travel offers include:

•  Metro 1/3 off cash singles

•  Ulsterbus 1/3 off cash singles

• NI Railways 1/3 off singles, day returns, weekly and monthly fares

 Enterprise up to 50% off fares

• To apply, pick up your application form from any Translink bus or rail station.  All you need is £8, a passport photo and proof of age identity.

• Translink is also offering a mature student discount card – 24+ Student Railcard, which will be available to all students 24 years of age and over in full time education. The discount card is valid from 1st September 2012 to 30th September 2013 and a renewal of £7 must be paid annually. The 24+ Student Railcard is only valid for discounts on rail services.