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Free travel for Translink staff and families to stay

TRANSLINK has said it has "no plans" to remove free travel for staff and their families, as the company looks to make savings after drastic cuts to its budget.

It was revealed in the assembly that more than 1,000 families benefit from the free travel perk.

The figures come as Translink chief executive David Strahan, pictured, said that 150 jobs may have to be cut due to budget constraints and warned the company would not survive "if we do not take action".

Mr Strahan, who will leave his £156,000 a year post in October to preach the gospel, told the regional development committee that a programme of voluntary redundancies was being considered, with the company estimating a loss of £14 million in the 2014-15 financial year.

Translink announced in December that bus and rail fares would have to rise by 4 per cent.

Free travel for spouses and partners was first introduced in 2001, and extended to include dependants in 2006.

The GMB union, which represents some Translink workers, has said it would be "prepared" to examine options to cut back on free travel for staff and their families.

GMB's Michael Mullholland said: "If that is something the employer wishes to look at we would be happy to look at it also. We are open to discussing anything which saves jobs."

"Mr Strahan's comments were perhaps a bit of gamesmanship. There is an underlying feeling that somebody somewhere is willing to sell Translink off."

A Translink spokeswoman said: "There are no plans to remove the provision of free travel for staff and their dependants.

"This concession is the industry norm for transport companies and is part of agreed staff terms and conditions in Translink."

The figures on free travel for relatives were revealed in response to an assembly question by South Antrim MLA Trevor Clarke.

Almost 4,000 employees of Translink are entitled to free transport, with a total of 1,098 families able to travel at no cost.

Translink has said it is unable to quantify the cost of the arrangement to the taxpayer.

In his answer to the assembly, regional development minister Danny Kennedy, said there were limits on the travel available to family members of employees.

"This facility is extended to spouses and partners of staff, as well as dependent children from five to 16 years," he said.

"This entitlement comes into effect once a member of staff has satisfactorily completed a six-month probationary period."

"Travel is restricted for dependants to Monday to Friday after 6pm, all day Saturday and Sunday, and all day during school holiday periods."

Translink's latest annual report showed that expenditure on staff salaries rose by almost £8 million between 2013 to 2014, from £97m to £105m, accounting for 65 per cent of the company's overall expenditure.