The bus pilot programme is due to begin at the end of the month
A year-long night bus pilot scheme has been launched, which will see late-night services by Translink running in and out of Belfast. The new Translink late-night bus programme will start on Friday, November 28 and is backed by the NI Executive.
According to the Department for Infrastructure, the total estimated costs for the pilot are in the region of £650k. As per a prior report by Belfast Live, the trial will build on a previous one that took place in 2019, prior to the Covid pandemic, which placed future plans for the service on hold at the time.
A spokesman from Translink stated that the extended late-night services will operate every Friday and Saturday night, building on the success of previous Christmas initiatives.
The spokesman said: “Together with additional festive rail services, Translink aims to support the seasonal celebrations and help build Belfast’s vibrant night-time economy, enhance safety for evening travellers, and encourage sustainable travel choices.”
As part of the year-long pilot, metro services will now operate from midnight until 2am every Friday and Saturday, while Ulsterbus will also have later departing services across Northern Ireland.
In addition to the bus pilot commencing on November 28, there will be added rail services for the four weekends to Christmas starting on Friday, November 20 and Saturday, November 21. These additional rail services will run until Friday, December 19 and Saturday, December 20. They will only operate over the festive period and normal fares will apply.
Here are the details of the added Christmas train services:
Larne
11.45pm
Carrickfergus
11pm (Christmas Period)
11.45pm
Bangor
11.15pm (Christmas Period)
11.55pm
Lisburn
11.36pm
11.59pm Express
Portadown
11.59pm Express to Lisburn
Newry
11.59pm (extends express to Newry for Christmas Period)
Coleraine
10.10pm (Christmas Period)
11.10pm
Derry~Londonderry
11.10pm (extends to Derry~Londonderry for Christmas Period)
The first minister of Northern Ireland, Michelle O’Neill said: “This initiative marks the start of a significant new year-round bus pilot scheme which will introduce reliable late-night transport across Belfast.
“As well as improving connectivity, it will also ensure people are able to return home safely after work or enjoying an evening of shopping or socialising.
“The cross-Executive funding for this pilot scheme reflects our determination to work together to do everything we can to boost our thriving night-time economy.”
The new services will see several buses operating as part of the year long pilot scheme on Friday and Saturday nights. On the metro services, standard fares will apply.
Scheduled Timetabled
Services
Day / Time
Route
Goldliner coach 212
Fri/Sat
12:15 am and 1.15am
Derry~Londonderry
Goldliner coach 238
Fri/Sat
12am
Newry via Banbridge
Urby 300
Fri/Sat
12:00am and 1.00am
Templepatrick
Urby 653b
Fri/Sat
11pm
Ballyclare
Additional Late Night Ulsterbus Services- all leaving Grand Central Station:
Additional Special
Late Night Services
Day / Time
Route
Urby 515
Fri/Sat
12:15 am
Downpatrick via Carryduff
Urby 520
Fri/Sat
12am
Newcastle via Carryduff and Ballynahinch
Goldliner Coach 261
Fri/Sat
12am
Dungannon
Urby 106
Fri/Sat
12am
Crumlin
For the Glider service, the last departure will follow the standard timetable, with normal routes and fares applying.
Chris Conway, Translink Group Chief Executive, commented: “We’re grateful for the support of the NI Executive, Belfast City Council and our city partners in helping us deliver the year-long pilot to bus services.
“Together we’re energising the city’s nightlife while offering a greener, safer way to travel.”
The Ulsterbus service will see normal fees apply with buses offered under this umbrella all leaving Grand Central Station.
Departing at 12:15 a.m. and 1:15 a.m., the Goldliner coach 212 will travel to Derry~Londonderry. A midnight Friday and Saturday service for Goldliner coach 238 will see it travel to Newry via Banbridge. The Urby 300 will depart on both nights at midnight and 1am, it will travel to Templepatrick.
Urby 653b will depart on both evenings at 11pm to travel to Ballyclare. Urby 515 will depart on both evenings at 12.15am to travel to Downpatrick via Carryduff. Urby 520 will see a midnight departure on both evenings as it goes to Newcastle, again via Carryduff, but also by Ballynahinch.
Goldliner Coach 261 will leave on Friday and Saturday night for Dungannon at midnight. The Urby 106 will go both evenings at midnight to Crumlin.
The Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, Emma Little-Pengelly made an announcement on her X/formerly Twitter account yesterday about the launch of the new service.
She said elsewhere: “I am pleased the Executive has been able to support this pilot scheme which will make it easier for people to travel home after work, social events, or late-night shopping.
“Our public transport network is hugely important in supporting our vibrant night-time economy as well as ensuring a safer, more connected city for everyone, and these new services will enhance accessibility and support local businesses to increase their evening trade.”
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.
#Translink #release #full #details #times #NIs #late #night #bus #services
