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You couldn’t make it up
 You
might think it’s difficult getting information out of Network South-East
officials, but spare a thought for a Canadian tourist who wanted to travel
from Belfast to Derry by bus.
An official from Translink (the main bus transport authority in the North)
informed the lady that no such place as Derry exists.
Bewildered, the tourist made her way to the railway station where she
found that Derry was not a figment of her imagination. Unlike Cloud Cuckoo
Land and Tír na nÓg, it does exist.
The case was subsequently taken up by SDLP Assembly member John Dallat
who asked for a meeting with Translink chiefs to discuss the matter.
He said: “There have been several other cases of foreign travellers
with similar experiences and the time has come to sort out this petty,
bigoted practice once and for all.”
Apologising, a Translink spokeswoman said “appropriate action”
had been taken.
She added: “Translink provides a service for the whole community
and indeed uses a mixture of both names, Derry and Londonderry, and in
some cases dual names across all bus and rail services and in timetables
and other communications material.”
Customer care was a “fundamental part of the service” offered
by staff. “We expect them to deal with all passengers in a friendly,
helpful and professional manner at all times.”
That’s right.
At least in most places you only have to deal with officials harbouring
a grievance that dates back to having had to get up early that day.
In the North it seems you’re dealing with public servants with grievances
dating back 400 years. |
