Translink has admitted that it got it “wrong on the Loyal Orders” after the public transport provider was accused of of “double standards” for ignoring the Twelfth on its social media platforms.
It comes after Translink shared a number of posts with celebratory pictures of passengers on their way to GAA games, including the All Ireland semi final on July 23 and the final in Dublin on Sunday.
TUV secretary Ann McClure wrote to the company’s chief executive to outline a grievance last week and questioned why the Orange Order celebrations were not acknowledged – including the Sham Fight on July 13.
“My attention has been drawn to a couple of issues pertaining to your company in recent weeks,” it read.
“Firstly, I note that on 13th July you posted on Twitter a number of photos showing happy passengers along with the message: ‘That’s the @Armagh_GAA fans on their way to Dublin on the rail special event train! Hoping for a good result for you all!’
“A number of people have observed to me that there was no such post about the Twelfth of July celebrations the previous day, in spite of the fact that many thousands used Translink services to travel to and from parades with your buses in many cases parked in fleets at the end of parade routes.
“Why does Translink think it’s acceptable to acknowledge nationalist culture while ignoring Orangeism?”
The correspondence also outlined a grievance over Translink’s public support of Belfast Pride festival.
“Secondly, please explain why in the Belfast area Translink buses are displaying the progress pride flag,” it continued.
“I believe that Translink has a policy of refusing to carry political advertisements.
“Yet it is hard to think of something which could be more political than an emblem which is, at its heart, about the mutilation of children for a political ideology.”
Translink posted pictures of fans wearing Orange GAA jerseys on Sunday as they headed to Croke Park to watch Armagh claim the Sam Maguire Cup for the first time in two decades.
“All Aboard!!!!” the caption read accompanied by party emojis.
“We’re heading for @crokepark on the @Armagh_GAA.”
The post attracted criticism online.
“Translink I expect to see lots of photos for the upcoming Apprentice Boys parade in Londonderry and Last Saturday Royal Black parades in August,” one user noted.
“There will be many dozens of your buses in use both days!
“Let’s see your equality!”
Now Ms McClure has welcomed a commitment from Translink to “do better” in the future.
“Last week I wrote to Translink challenging them on why they posted photos on their social media platforms wishing those travelling to the GAA semi-final well while ignoring the Loyal Order celebrations,” she said.
“I welcome the fact that in their response Translink has acknowledged that given that there were two major events on the 13th July there was ‘a case for having referenced both on our social media. We will ensure this is addressed in future.’
“It is right to challenge publicly funded bodies like Translink when they get it wrong.
“It’s also only right to acknowledge when they admit they could have done – and in future will do – better.
“Translink are to be commended for acknowledging they got it wrong and I and my party are committed to holding them accountable in future.”
A spokesperson for Translink said: “We operate special services to a broad range of events throughout the year, including sporting events and concerts.
“We frequently post photos of our event specials on our social media channels, which is common practice across the public transport sector.
“We acknowledge that, given there were two major events on 13th July, namely the Sham Fight and the GAA semi-finals, there is a case for having referenced both in our social media.
“We will ensure this is addressed in future”.