Bus passengers can now benefit from the introduction of dayLink , a new Translink smartcard which provides flexible unlimited day travel in Belfast for adults and children.For the first time passengers can purchase a bus travel smartcard that can be topped-up with one, five or 10 day’s travel.The new card will significantly benefit those who do not need to travel on consecutive days - passengers can travel whenever they want as any unused travel remains stored on their smartcard.Catherine Mason, Translink Group Chief Executive said, “As passenger figures continue to grow, we are committed to delivering innovative ticketing solutions that are attractive, sustainable and good value.“The introduction of dayLink means that anyone making just two bus journeys a day within Metro’s city or extended zones will save money compared to paying for two cash fares and it’s cheaper than a paper Metro day ticket. The same applies to anyone in the inner zone making more than two journeys.”“We also want to help more people avoid long rush hour queues of traffic, expensive car parking and fuel costs. Typically a motorist travelling from the Shore Road into the City Centre could save more than £22 on petrol or £12.90 on diesel per month by choosing the new dayLink smartcard,” Catherine concluded.Transport Minister Danny Kennedy MLA said: “Over half a million Metro journeys are made every week in Belfast as more people see the benefit of using the bus.  This new Travelcard is a further step forward in helping to meet the needs of Translink customers by providing them with more convenient, flexible and cost-effective travel options suited to their individual requirements. For further information click www.translink.co.uk or call 028 90 66 66 30.ENDSFor media enquires please contact Translink Press Office on 028 9089 9455Alternatively, please contact Louise Carson at Aiken PR on 028 9066 3000 

Notes to Editor•         Topping-up dayLink: on board the bus with one day’s travel or in a Translink top-up outlet with one, five or 10 day’s travel.•         The dayLink card is a safer, cash free way to make daily bus journeys•         Lost dayLink cards can be hotlisted to prevent anyone else from using it fraudulently.•         dayLink helps speed up boarding times on buses making journey times faster for everyone.•         Fuel cost comparison – calculations made using AA and consumer council statistics. •         dayLink Fares - The £1.00 initial purchase charge for a dayLink card will be waived until 12TH January 2013. The prices for dayLink card top-ups for adults and children are:  Top-Up On Bus  Adult  Child  Adult  Child  Travel All Day, Any Day  Travel All Day, Any Day  Travel after 9.30a.m.*(Mon-Sat & all day Sunday) Travel after 9.30a.m.*(Mon-Sat & all day Sunday)1 Day £3.50 £1.75 £3.00 £1.50*Available to buy between 9.30a.m. – 3p.m Mon – Fri and between 9.30am – 7pm Sat – Sun.  Top-Up(at PayPoint, Smartlink Agents & selected Translink Sales Outlets)  AdultTop-UpTravel All Day, Any Day  ChildTop-UpTravel All Day, Any Day1 Day £3.50 £1.755 Days £15.00 £7.5010 Days £30.00 £15.00*  All fares are subject to alteration. When you buy your first dayLink card you will pay a one-off charge of £1.00.Buying & Topping-up dayLinkYou can buy your dayLink card and first top-up of travel online at www.translink.co.uk or at:•         Metro Kiosk, Donegall Square West, Belfast•         Europa Buscentre, Central Station, Great Victoria Street Station•         Smartlink Agents within greater Belfast•         Belfast Welcome Centre, Donegall Place, Belfast•         George Best Belfast City Airport Welcome Centre•         Spar, University of Ulster, Jordanstown•         Queen’s University Student UnionYou can top-up dayLink cards with 1 day’s travel with the driver on board a Metro bus and you can also top-up on board any Ulsterbus service scheduled to pick-up passengers in the Metro operating area.  When you top-up on the bus with one day’s travel your one day of travel starts to expire from the time you load it onto your card.