Stena Line announces special offer for students

Stena Line, the leading Irish Sea ferry operator, has announced that it will offer Northern Ireland students studying in Britain the chance to travel for free back to university. The announcement follows the research* from independent university guide Push that estimates many students will be left with a debt of £23,000 after graduation.

Separate research conducted by the National Union of Students (NUS) also suggests some degrees have higher 'hidden costs' than others, such as for equipment or books.

To help ease the financial strain, Stena Line is offering Northern Ireland students the chance to travel to Britain for free** on all five of its Irish Sea routes when they are accompanied by a paying adult and car. This is the fifth consecutive year Stena Line has run this special offer.

Ian Baillie, Stena Line’s marketing manager on the Belfast-Stranraer route, believes that the current economic climate is making things harder for students but the support of parents can help them to adjust to university life.

He said: "It can be a worrying time for parents when young people first fly the nest or return to university after a summer at home and many prefer to travel over with their children and help them settle in. With the rising cost of everyday expenses parents may now feel that this journey is impossible and that is why Stena Line is reintroducing this great fare to help families make the transition that little bit easier and with a few more pounds in their pockets."

Those wishing to pack a little lighter and travel without a car can take advantage of further reductions and travel from Belfast Port onboard the Stena HSS Voyager and onto popular university cities such as Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Notes to Editors:
*Push interviewed 2024 students in years one to four of their degree course, in person.
**Terms and conditions apply. Subject to availability. Booking must be a minimum of 14 days in advance of travel and before 14th October 2009. Travel must be completed by 5 January 2010

About Stena Line:
Stena Line is the market leader among Irish Sea ferries, offering the biggest ferry fleet and the widest choice of routes between the island of Ireland and Britain including Belfast to Stranraer, Dun Laoghaire and Dublin Port to Holyhead, Rosslare to Fishguard and ferries to Fleetwood from Larne. The company carries over three million passengers on its Irish Sea routes each year, more than its rival operators combined.

Stena Line PR Contact:
Nigel Tilson
UK Communications Manager
Victoria Terminal 4
West Bank Road
Belfast
BT3 9JL
028 9088 4036
www.stenaline.co.uk