Bus and train timetable and bus stop changes from 1st July

These changes are being introduced to ensure people can continue to move into and around Belfast.as significant public realm improvement works to enhance walking routes, accessibility and cycling around the new Belfast Grand Central Station and rail infrastructure works intensify.

Passengers are being encouraged to plan their trip ahead of time using information on the website www.translink.co.uk or Journey Planner and allow extra time for their journey.

From Monday 1st July, adjustments will be made to some city centre bus stops with relocation of some Ulsterbus services to Laganside Buscentre to help maintain bus service reliability and performance during increased traffic pressures on the city centre network. Passenger Information will be displayed on impacted bus stops and is available on the website www.translink.co.uk.

Essential engineering works take place on the railway line between Belfast and Lisburn, with a line closure planned from Wednesday 3rd July until early autumn. Train services from Lanyon Place to Lisburn stations will be affected. These works are essential to complete the rail infrastructure works and all the safety testing, commissioning and training that must be completed to enable the opening of the world class facility.

Express bus substitutions will be in operation between Belfast and Lisburn. Passengers using the Lisburn Line stations will need to use the regular scheduled Metro and Ulsterbus Lisburn Road services. Valid rail tickets will be valid on these services.

All train passengers should check their timetables before making their journeys.

Translink has also introduced enhanced bus timetables with more seats available on both our Metro services and popular Goldliner routes across Northern Ireland.

Additionally, the company has enhanced park and ride services operating from Sprucefield and Cairnshill. In total there are around 60 P&R locations across Northern Ireland with around 10,000 spaces offering a great option for free parking with good value fares to travel into the city.

A series of pop-up information days are taking place later this month to provide travel advice to passengers. There will also be additional staff on the ground on the run up to the changes to help guide passengers. (Details below)

Translink’s David Curry, General Manager Bus Services, said:

“Ten times larger than current facilities, Belfast Grand Central Station will be a game changer helping inspire and reimagine the city - one where more people travel on public transport, walk, wheel and cycle.

“The hub will be a major international gateway with enhanced connectivity across Northern Ireland, cross border and local airports creating a better connected, cleaner and healthier city for everyone.

“Designed to be fully inclusive and able to cater for 20 million passenger journeys a year, it will be the largest integrated transport facility on the island of Ireland bringing the opportunity to further enhance service frequency in the longer term.

“Beyond transportation, this new facility will be a new destination in the heart of the city where people meet thanks to a range of popular hospitality and retail outlets offering a unique blend of convenience and leisure.

“With reduced passenger numbers during the summer period, we have carefully planned a range of travel options to minimise the overall impact and ensure people can continue to make their journeys and access the city.

“The important message to all our passengers is to check the Journey Planner or website for timetable information before their journey. Our teams will be hosting pop-up information days at train and bus stations later this month and I encourage the public to attend to find out more about these works and their impact.

“I want to thank all our passengers and local neighbours for their support and patience as we progress these essential works.”

Further details on Belfast Grand Station and the works programme can be found here: www.translink.co.uk/bgcs

Rail information days:

Lanyon Place Station. Tuesday 18th June, 7am-9am

Botanic Station. Tuesday 18th June, 4pm-6pm

Lisburn Station. Wednesday 19th June, 4pm-6pm

Lurgan Station. Thursday 20th June, 7am-9am

Portadown Station. Monday 24th June, 7am-9am

Newry Station. Monday 24th June, 4pm-6pm

  Bus information days:

Europa Buscentre. Tuesday 25th June, 7.30-9.30am and 3.30-5.30pm

Europa Buscentre. Wednesday 26th June, 7.00-9.30am and 2.00-4.00pm

Goldliner / Ulsterbus - Route Changes in Belfast from Monday 1st July

To facilitate Belfast Public Realm Improvement Works the following services will no longer operate to and from Europa Buscentre and will instead operate to and from Laganside Buscentre:

218, 218a, 219a, 221, 222 Antrim, Ballymena & Coleraine area

256, 256a & 653b Larne & Ballyclare area

502 Bangor area

5, 505, 7, 507, 9b, 10 Newtownards area

511, 511b Comber and Shrigley

512 Ballygowan and Raffrey

These services will operate from Donegall Square North:

203 Bangor area

206, 655 Newtownards area

These services will operate from Adelaide Street; (inbound arrival) Linenhall Street:

215, 515 Downpatrick area

518a, 520, 237 Newcastle area (237a will no longer operate)

652 Cairnshill Park & Ride

*All other scheduled services continue to operate to and from Europa Buscentre.

*Passengers are advised that some service times may also change and we recommend they check timetables on the website www.translink.co.uk and allow extra time for their journeys.

Metro route changes from Monday 1 July:

1A to 1G; 2A to 2H; and 13 and 14 – terminus will change from Upper Queen Street to Donegall Place.

1A-G stop M (outside Next)

2A to H – stop N (outside Footlocker)

13 and 14 – stop M (outside Next)

2J to 2M: Timetable alterations – boarding stop moved from Wellington Place to Donegall Place - stop N (outside Footlocker) 2M will operate a 40 minute service from 9.40am

646 (previously Metro 95) – departure terminus changed from Donegall Square East to Europa Buscentre

7A – 7D – timetable changes

7E – changing to 6F and will operate from Donegall Square West (outside Danske Bank) with other Metro 6 services (moved from Howard Street)

7G and 7H – stop moved to Howard Street (outside Post Office)

8 Services will depart from Howard Street (Deanes) – inbound will no longer serve Great Northern Mall or Naval Club

9A to 9C – will operate from Bedford Street - inbound will no longer serve Great Northern Mall or Naval Club

9E to 9K – timetable changes

93 inbound will no longer serve Great Northern Mall or Naval Club

10K and 10M will use Divis Street, omitting Grosvenor Road stops.

Stops no longer being served: Outbound – Durham St, Falls Recreation Centre, Roden St, Servia St, Royal Hospital. Inbound – Royal Hospital, Gibson St, Roden St, Cullingtree Rd, Stanley St, GVS

Train Timetable changes from Wednesday 3 July

Belfast Lanyon Place to Lisburn will be closed.

Botanic and City Hospital Stations will be closed.

Adelaide, Balmoral, Finaghy, Dunmurry, Derriaghy, Lambeg and Hilden stations will be closed.

Express Bus substitution services will operate between Lisburn and Europa Buscentre every ten minutes Monday to Saturday and every hour on Sundays.

Passengers for City Hospital, Botanic, Adelaide, Balmoral, Finaghy, Dunmurry, Derriaghy, Lambeg and Hilden stations can use scheduled Metro/Ulsterbus services along the Lisburn Road.

Bus substitution services between Belfast Lanyon Place and Europa Buscentre will operate every 30 minutes.

The Enterprise service will operate from Portadown to Dublin, with Belfast customers transferred by bus between Belfast Lanyon Place and Newry train station.

Rail tickets will be accepted on scheduled bus services.