01/08/09, 03:27:42 UTC

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Translink: Sorry for wiping 'Derry' off the tourist map

belfasttelegraph.co.uk

Translink last night apologised after a Canadian student arriving in Belfast described how she was told "Derry" didn't exist.

Maaijke Schurer (28) from Kingston, Ontario had been visiting family friends who own the Drummond Hotel in Ballykelly, County Londonderry.

Hotelier Gareth Peoples said he was astounded that his guest was delayed by six hours after being redirected to the "Londonderry" train.

The incident occurred at Translink's Great Victoria Street bus station on Saturday, August 4.

A spokeswoman for Translink said an internal investigation had been conducted and "appropriate action" taken.

Mr Peoples had given Ms Schurer directions following her arrival in Belfast.

Speaking from Canada, Ms Schurer said: "What happened was I came in and I didn't know how to get to Derry.

"I asked and the person told me there wasn't a place called Derry and that I had to go and take a train to Londonderry.

"I was very confused, more confused than annoyed. I am a newcomer and I have no idea.

"I could have taken the bus and saved some money and that would have been great."

Mr Peoples said he had earlier told Ms Schurer to get the Derry Express and get off at Dungiven.

"I told her to get the bus because it runs every half hour and only takes about an hour," he said.

" She could have been in here at 3pm but did not get in until 9pm because the train takes so long."

He added: "I had to sit her down and explain to her. When she figured it out she was very annoyed.

" I am just flabbergasted. This girl from Canada is herself actually a Protestant but has no political persuasions either way."

Mr Peoples said he had heard since that this was not a one-off incident.

"I was talking to a girl from New York who is studying at Magee and she said a lot of foreign students had encountered similar problems".

East Londonderry SDLP MLA John Dallat said he had lodged a complaint over a similar case involving an Italian student trying to get to Derry.

He added: "Every single employee in Translink needs to understand their own personal notions need to be kept to themselves."

A Translink spokeswoman replied: "Translink provide a service for the whole community, and indeed use a mixture of both names, Derry and Londonderry, and in some cases dual names across all bus and rail services.

"We invest heavily in customer care training for staff. We expect them to deal with all passengers in a friendly, helpful and professional manner at all times.

"Unfortunately, this was not the case on this occasion and we would apologise for the inconvenience caused."

Ms Schurer said she still managed to have "an amazing time" in Derry despite her experience.

"The city is so beautiful and the people so friendly, it all worked out good," she said.

 Printable Version  | published Aug 21, 2007