The public has voted for Rory Best to appear on Translink's first ever 'Bus of Legends'
Today, Translink unveiled the much anticipated ‘Metro Legends’ Double Decker bus wrap to kick-off inaugural Bus + Train Week.
After a call for nominations, shortlisting by an independent judging panel and a public vote that received thousands of entries, Translink revealed the results of its Metro Legends campaign today outside Belfast City Hall with the unveiling of its first ‘Bus of Legends’ featuring Rory Best and Jamie Dornan.
The Metro Legends campaign, which launched in April, called on the public to choose two living legends to feature on a unique Translink Metro Double Decker bus wrap. People voted in the thousands for their favourite legend from a shortlist of six, but rugby star Rory Best and Hollywood actor Jamie Dornan came out on top in a shortlist that also included Carl Frampton MBE, Eamonn Holmes, Michael O’Neill and Dame Mary Peters, CH, DBE and claimed the official ‘Metro Legend’ title.
The unveiling of the two Metro Legends kicked-off Northern Ireland’s first ever Bus and Train Week; a new initiative to encourage more people to try public transport emphasising its importance to making the region a place where people want to live, work, visit and invest in.
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, Chris Conway, Chief Executive, Translink said:
“We launched our Metro Legends campaign with a goal to touch the hearts and minds of the public and to inspire more people to choose public transport. Since the launch, the campaign has received enormous attention across Northern Ireland but also around the world on social media.
“Congratulations to Rory and Jamie on their ‘Metro Legends’ titles; now that the bus has been revealed, it will enter passenger service across the city and we hope it boosts civic pride as a ‘moving’ tribute to the wealth of local talent out there.
“Thank you to everyone who nominated and voted and, of course, our judges for their time and effort. The ‘big reveal’ was the perfect way to kick off our first ever Bus + Train Week and we can’t wait for our customers to ‘get on-board’ the ‘Bus of Legends’!” said Chris.
One of the two Metro Legends is rugby star Rory Best, a constant fixture at Kingspan Stadium in Belfast and rugby stadia around Europe. In 2016, Rory became the captain for Ireland, the first Ulster rugby player to captain Ireland's team since the late 1990s. He is known as a leader on the field and is well-regarded by sports fans in Belfast and beyond.
Currently in South Africa, Rory spoke about his new ‘Metro Legend’ status:
“I am very humbled to be included on the bus. It’s a great honour to play for your province and country and now I can add this to the list! Thank you to everyone that voted for me, I know my kids are really excited about it. I’m in South Africa now and after a few weeks off for some R&R I’ll be back in pre-season training, and in an Ulster jersey. I’ll have to take it for a spin to Kingspan Stadium!”
Translink is encouraging the public to tweet photos of the Metro Legends bus on roads across the city @Translink_NI #MetroLegends. For a full list of Translink Metro timetables or to learn more about Bus and Train Week, click www.translink.co.uk #GetonboardNI
Today, Translink unveiled the much anticipated ‘Metro Legends’ Double Decker bus wrap to kick-off inaugural Bus + Train Week.
After a call for nominations, shortlisting by an independent judging panel and a public vote that received thousands of entries, Translink revealed the results of its Metro Legends campaign today outside Belfast City Hall with the unveiling of its first ‘Bus of Legends’ featuring Rory Best and Jamie Dornan.
The Metro Legends campaign, which launched in April, called on the public to choose two living legends to feature on a unique Translink Metro Double Decker bus wrap. People voted in the thousands for their favourite legend from a shortlist of six, but rugby star Rory Best and Hollywood actor Jamie Dornan came out on top in a shortlist that also included Carl Frampton MBE, Eamonn Holmes, Michael O’Neill and Dame Mary Peters, CH, DBE and claimed the official ‘Metro Legend’ title.
The unveiling of the two Metro Legends kicked-off Northern Ireland’s first ever Bus and Train Week; a new initiative to encourage more people to try public transport emphasising its importance to making the region a place where people want to live, work, visit and invest in.
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, Chris Conway, Chief Executive, Translink said:
“We launched our Metro Legends campaign with a goal to touch the hearts and minds of the public and to inspire more people to choose public transport. Since the launch, the campaign has received enormous attention across Northern Ireland but also around the world on social media.
“Congratulations to Rory and Jamie on their ‘Metro Legends’ titles; now that the bus has been revealed, it will enter passenger service across the city and we hope it boosts civic pride as a ‘moving’ tribute to the wealth of local talent out there.
“Thank you to everyone who nominated and voted and, of course, our judges for their time and effort. The ‘big reveal’ was the perfect way to kick off our first ever Bus + Train Week and we can’t wait for our customers to ‘get on-board’ the ‘Bus of Legends’!” said Chris.
One of the two Metro Legends is rugby star Rory Best, a constant fixture at Kingspan Stadium in Belfast and rugby stadia around Europe. In 2016, Rory became the captain for Ireland, the first Ulster rugby player to captain Ireland's team since the late 1990s. He is known as a leader on the field and is well-regarded by sports fans in Belfast and beyond.
Currently in South Africa, Rory spoke about his new ‘Metro Legend’ status:
“I am very humbled to be included on the bus. It’s a great honour to play for your province and country and now I can add this to the list! Thank you to everyone that voted for me, I know my kids are really excited about it. I’m in South Africa now and after a few weeks off for some R&R I’ll be back in pre-season training, and in an Ulster jersey. I’ll have to take it for a spin to Kingspan Stadium!”
Translink is encouraging the public to tweet photos of the Metro Legends bus on roads across the city @Translink_NI #MetroLegends. For a full list of Translink Metro timetables or to learn more about Bus and Train Week, click www.translink.co.uk #GetonboardNI