STRABANE'S first, modern and fully accessible public transport facility was unveiled this week, on schedule.

Providing significantly improved services for passengers in the Strabane area the new depot at Bradley Way forms part of Translink's rolling programme of investment in Ulsterbus services across the North West and wider regions – a programme which is already seeing passenger growth of 66% on Strabane Town Services since they were enhanced in September 2006.

Equipped with a modern, heated and comfortable seated waiting area, parent and baby room, cycle racks and a 43-space Park and Ride facility, the new centre is fully accessible and has been purpose built to the highest specification within a four-month timeframe.

At a special event attended by local MLAs, Councillors and members of Strabane's business community, the centre was declared open by Chairman of Strabane Council, Thomas Kerrigan and Translink Chairman, Veronica Palmer OBE.

Mrs Palmer said, "Strabane's new Buscentre is an important new facility for the population of the area. It also marks a key milestone in Translink's Northern Ireland-wide review of local Ulsterbus services aimed at providing enhancements to key services.

"Indeed most recently we have extended a town service to Lifford as part of this review in order to meet changing local demands.

"We have had an ongoing commitment to developing first class transport facilities for the travelling public and have delivered a number of newly developed, purpose built bus and rail centres throughout Northern Ireland.

"This new Buscentre is further testament of this and we look forward to providing passengers and visitors to the Strabane area with great services which meet the needs and demands of 21st century consumers."

The Council Chairman added, "I would like to welcome the investment in the Ulsterbus provision within Strabane. I am delighted to see the increased number of services operating from the new Buscentre and the redesign of the town services.

"I would like to commend all those who had an input into this venture and I would also like to thank the community for their patience whilst the new centre was being developed, and for their continued support for the new services."

The new facility also includes a new, fully equipped engineering workshop, automated bus wash system and fuelling system will also allow full servicing, repair and maintenance of vehicles on site. In addition, modern staff facilities include a rest room and showers for its 16-strong workforce.