Translink announce special Tall Ships Races transport plan

Up to 500,000 visitors like little Olly and Lucy McKay pictured with Translink bus driver Hugh Thompson are expected at The Tall Ships Races 2015 and Translink has announced special transport arrangements for everyone heading to the spectacular maritime event in Belfasts dockland, July 2 5.

Visitors are encouraged to use bus, coach, train and park & ride services to avoid traffic congestion and enjoy hassle-free journeys to the event sites. A special Translink ‘Smartmoves to the Tall Ships’ Travel Guide is now available to download online at www.translink.co.uk/tallships/ or pick-up from local bus or rail stations and Visit Belfast.

The handy ‘must-have’ guide features a Tall Ships site map showing all the main attractions and transport pick-up/drop-off points as well as listing the range of discount travel tickets available.

Translink Service Delivery Manager Phillip Woods said using public transport is the smart move to enjoy the maritime spectacle, he said: “This will be an amazing family event featuring the largest fleet of world class Tall Ships ever to anchor in Northern Ireland! We’ll be providing enhanced bus and rail capacity during the 4 day event to ensure visitors enjoy convenient and comfortable journeys so they arrive feeling relaxed and ready for all the quayside action.

“We would encourage all visitors to plan their travel in advance and leave plenty of time for their journeys. We’ve put in place attractive services and good value tickets with full details available online now at www.translink.co.uk/tallships/ or pick-up a copy of our handy Tall Ships Travel Guide in-station.

“Visitors from outside Belfast can leave the car at home and relax on board the train or Goldline coach services into Belfast city centre for a short 10-15 minute onward stroll to Queen’s Quay.

“If you’re coming from a North or South Antrim direction, throughout the event we’ll be running bus services from our new Park and Ride site at Ballymartin located just off the M2 at the junction for the International Airport which will be specially opened for use during the Tall Ships.

“Once you’re in the city you can enjoy the convenience of our free shuttle bus service operating between the 2 main festival sites at Queen’s Quay near the Odyssey Arena and Pollock Dock. A free city centre shuttle bus service will also travel between Wellington Place and Pollock Dock.

“There will be bus services from Belfast City Council Park and Ride sites at Airport Road West near Holywood Exchange travelling to Queen’s Quay and from Boucher Road Playing Fields to Pollock Dock. Parking at these council sites will cost £2.50 per adult.

“Visitors can choose from a wide range of great value Translink tickets to get to the event such as a third-off all NI Railways and selected Goldline coach services after 9.30am and our Family & Friends Ticket offers up to 2 adults and 4 children unlimited all-day bus and train travel across Northern Ireland for just £22 or all day Metro bus travel for just £9.

“We’ve worked closely with Belfast City Council, Transport NI and the PSNI to put in place a suitable transport plan and we’re looking forward to transporting thousands of additional visitors to and around Belfast during this high profile event,” said Phillip.

For full details on Translink travel options during The Tall Ships Races click www.translink.co.uk/tallships/ or call the Translink contact centre on 90 66 66 30. For the latest travel updates follow @Translink_NI #smartmovers on Twitter.