Cost of running a car >>
Savings using the bus or train >>
Other sample savings >>

With increased student fees and rising fuel and energy costs we all know many potential students are worrying about how to cope and afford the basics. Everyone wants to be able to afford higher education yet still be able to live and afford a social life.

Translink are encouraging students to look at the bus or train as the best way to travel to save money. With a Translink Student Discount Card, students can get even more discounts. It could amount to £thousands over a year, when you compare it to the overall costs of motoring and parking are taken into account.  

Cost of running a Car

The overall average cost of running a car is up by 21% since April 2010. The average cost of running a petrol car for a year is £2,358 while running a diesel car for a year is £2,264 plus the mileage. Fuel prices have increased 13.7% over the past year and VAT increased to 20% meaning any extra penny in your purse at the end of the month could be better spent on socialising and enjoying University life. Perhaps it could even help reduce your overall student loan at the end of your studies! If you live and study in Belfast you should also check out the range of Metro Smartlink deals. You don’t need to get a Translink Student Discount card to get these. You could have unlimited Metro travel for a week for just £14.50.

Choosing the bus and train also has other benefits:

• Socialising – Catch up with friends and colleagues
• Catch up on study – how much time is often lost just sitting behind the wheel stuck in traffic – make the most of your time by letting someone else drive!
• Relax – sit back and read, listen to music or get a power nap and get ready for a night out.
• Save on parking costs – the money you save on parking costs could be put towards a new outfit or a night out
• Meeting new people – using the bus or train gives many opportunities to chat to fellow travellers
  

 

Savings using the bus or train

We have compared the cost to go by bus or train compared to using the car. Check out some of the savings below.

Table 1: Private Car versus Uni-Link service (UUJ)

Journey	Running Costs by Private Car per journey	Parking cost	Total by private car per journey	Total by Uni-Link service per journey NB – Parking costs are ruled out using public transport	Savings per journey
Belfast (Queen's) to University of Ulster, Jordanstown	£2.02* (9.2 miles per journey)	£2.00*	£4.02	£1.50 Using Uni-Link Smartlink multi-journey travel card	£2.52

*Based on AA evaluation of running costs of a new / nearly new car priced up to the value of £12k, travelling an average 10,000 miles per year, and current petrol prices of 133.3ppl (cheapest supermarket price) www.theaa.co.uk. This gives a cost of 21.95 pence per mile. NB: These per mile costs increase dramatically in line with increased car value.

**Based on parking rates of £2.00 for 6 hours while at university Table 2: Private Car versus Uni-Link service and Ulsterbus (UUJ)

Table 2: Private Car versus Uni-Link service and Ulsterbus (UUJ)

Journey	Running Costs by Private Car per journey	Parking Cost	Total by Private Car per journey	Total by Uni-Link service and Ulsterbus service per journey NB – Parking costs are ruled out using public transport	Total by bus per journey	Savings per journey
University of Ulster, Jordanstown to Belfast Belfast to Enniskillen	£2.02* (9.2 miles per journey) £18.20* (82.9 miles per journey)	£2.00**	£22.22	£1.50 Using Uni-Link Smartlink multi-journey travel card £8.90 Using Translink Student Discount card with 15% discount on Ulsterbus services	£10.40	£11.82

*Based on AA evaluation of overall running costs of a new / nearly new car priced up to the value of £12k, travelling an average 10,000 miles per year, and current petrol prices of 133.3ppl (cheapest supermarket price) www.theaa.co.uk. This gives a cost of 21.95 pence per mile. NB: These per mile costs increase dramatically in line with increased car value.

**Based on parking rates of £2.00 for 6 hours while at university

Table 3: Private car versus NIR (Queen’s University)

Journey	Running Costs by Private Car per Journey	Total by Private Car per journey	Total by NIR per journey NB – Parking costs are ruled out using public transport	Savings per journey
Belfast to Portadown	£6.52 (29.7 miles per journey)	£6.52	£4.90 Using Translink Student Discount card with 33% discount on NIR services.	£1.62

*Based on AA evaluation of overall running costs of a new / nearly new car priced up to the value of £12k, travelling an average 10,000 miles per year, and current petrol prices of 133.3ppl (cheapest supermarket price) www.theaa.co.uk. This gives a cost of 21.95 pence per mile. NB: These per mile costs increase dramatically in line with increased car value.

Other Sample Savings:

By Bus

Route	Student Single with a Translink Student Discount Card	Running Cost by Private Car	Savings per Journey
Newry - Belfast	£7.00	£8.34	£1.34
Derry - Belfast	£8.90	£15.80	£6.90
Omagh - Belfast	£8.90	£14.93	£6.03
Dungannon - Belfast	£7.00	£9.23	£2.23

 

By Rail

Route	Weekly Student Ticket with a Translink Student Discount Card	Weekly Running Cost by Private Car (5 return journeys)	Weekly Savings
Bangor - Jordanstown	£32.30	£43.70	£11.40
Lisburn - Jordanstown	£25.20	£37.70	£12.50
Ballymena - Belfast	£30.00	£61.60	£31.60
Carrickfergus - Belfast	£15.30	£26.10	£10.80
Londonderry - Coleraine	£25.00	£68.70	£43.70
Portrush - Coleraine	£6.70	£11.90	£5.20

 

*Based on AA evaluation of running costs of a new / nearly new car priced up to the value of £12k, travelling an average 10,000 miles per year, and current petrol prices of 133.3ppl (cheapest supermarket price) www.theaa.co.uk. This gives a cost of 21.95 pence per mile. NB: These per mile costs increase dramatically in line with increased car value. When you add in car parking costs you could be saving even more. It is also better value if you buy return tickets or choose multi journey tickets. Contact the Contact Centre to find out more about fares on 028 90 66 66 30.