This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/6954599.stm

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Tourist told city 'doesn't exist' Translink identify 'Derry denier'
(about 1 hour later)
A tourist was told by transport company Translink that "Derry did not exist" when she asked about a bus to the city from Belfast. Translink has said it has identified the member of staff who told a tourist "Derry did not exist" when she asked about a bus to the city from Belfast.
The SDLP's John Dallat said he was seeking a meeting with the company later this week to discuss the issue.The SDLP's John Dallat said he was seeking a meeting with the company later this week to discuss the issue.
Translink has issued a statement apologising to the tourist for any inconvenience caused. Translink's Billy Gilpin said the company apologised to the Canadian tourist for any inconvenience caused.
Earlier this year, following a judicial review, a judge ruled that the name of the city should remain Londonderry.Earlier this year, following a judicial review, a judge ruled that the name of the city should remain Londonderry.
Mr Dallat said a Canadian girl inquiring about transport to the city was told at the Europa Bus Centre in Belfast that "no buses run to that place". Mr Gilpin said the incident was currently being investigated by the company.
'Sort out' He said: "We are here to provide a service for the whole community.
"We don't have a particular stance on what we call, whether it be Londonderry or Derry.
"We interchange the two terms all the time in our publications and station announcements.
"It is very unfortunate, and I would have to apologise to the people who were involved in this incident."
Mr Dallat said the girl inquired about transport to the city and was told at the Europa Bus Centre in Belfast that "no buses run to that place".
'Unacceptable'
He said the woman caught a train and was eventually picked up at the Waterside Station.He said the woman caught a train and was eventually picked up at the Waterside Station.
'There have been several other cases of foreign travellers, mostly students who have had similar experiences and the time has come to sort out this petty bigoted practice once and for all," he said.'There have been several other cases of foreign travellers, mostly students who have had similar experiences and the time has come to sort out this petty bigoted practice once and for all," he said.
He said he had been "unhappy with Translink's response".He said he had been "unhappy with Translink's response".
"I do accept that the problem is perhaps not as bad as it used to be when they used to have someone standing at Platform Two in Belfast screaming at all passengers to the North-West, 'This train goes to Londonderry', he said."I do accept that the problem is perhaps not as bad as it used to be when they used to have someone standing at Platform Two in Belfast screaming at all passengers to the North-West, 'This train goes to Londonderry', he said.
"That at least has stopped but there is a problem still in existence and it needs to be addressed.""That at least has stopped but there is a problem still in existence and it needs to be addressed."
A Translink spokesperson said the incident was currently being investigated by the company.
'Professional'
Translink's Billy Gilpin said: "We are here to provide a service for the whole community.
"We don't have a particular stance on what we call, whether it be Londonderry or Derry.
"We interchange the two terms all the time in our publications and station announcements.
"It is very unfortunate, and I would have to apologise to the people who were involved in this incident."
Following a judicial review on the issue brought by Derry City Council in January, Mr Justice Weatherup said the name of the city should remain Londonderry.Following a judicial review on the issue brought by Derry City Council in January, Mr Justice Weatherup said the name of the city should remain Londonderry.
Derry City Council had wanted the government to accept its view that the name of the city was Derry rather than Londonderry.Derry City Council had wanted the government to accept its view that the name of the city was Derry rather than Londonderry.
The judge ruled that although the council had changed its title to Derry, this did not mean the name specified back in the 17th century was changed.The judge ruled that although the council had changed its title to Derry, this did not mean the name specified back in the 17th century was changed.
He said only legislation or Royal prerogative could change the city's name.He said only legislation or Royal prerogative could change the city's name.