It’s Translink #GetOnBoard Bus and Train Week 3-9 June!

Last year Volunteer Now was involved in the recruitment of volunteers to help launch the new Glider Service and during UK Volunteers Week 1-7 June we would like to say a big Thank You for their involvement towards making this service such a success.

Volunteer Karolyn Gaston tells us about her experience:

I volunteered for the new Translink Glider bus service for several reasons.  Firstly I wanted to learn about the new Glider bus service in advance of the East West  service.  I wanted to promote this new service in particular to international visitors and applied for the Titanic Belfast halt.  I love my city and I jump at any opportunity to promote Belfast when I’m available to do so.  The training from Translink was great and we were given a Glider hi viz jacket and bag to carry our information and essentials to keep us going on shift.  I also brought my 10 year old daughter to help volunteer for a shift and we took a trip on the G2 service which was great fun.

The international visitors at Titanic Belfast were excited when they realised they were a part of history using the brand new G2 service.  I assisted visitors from China, Korea, Germany, USA, Canada, Sweden, Republic of Ireland, Japan, Poland, France and even a monk from Tibet!

There was a lot to learn operational wise but I got the hang of it pretty quickly and was able to work the ticketing machines and give out free cards to families and children as per Translink instructions.

Whilst there was disruption to ‘normal’ services and there were a few disgruntled locals, they soon came around when they understood the system and timetable.

I absolutely loved my volunteering experience as a volunteer Glider bus ambassador.  Helping Translink deliver their history making new Glider bus service to existing and new customers and international visitors from all over the world was an honour.  I can’t wait until the North/South service starts and hope there’s a further opportunity to volunteer again.

Karolyn Gaston