Translink transport plans for Balmoral Show

Special bus, coach and train transport arrangements are in place to help visitors get to and from the show grounds at Balmoral Park situated at Maze Long Kesh.

The service will depart Antrim at 9.45am and return from Balmoral Park at 6pm with tickets available to book online now at £29 adult and £14 child. There will also be enhanced rail services and a free shuttle bus from Lisburn Train Station to the Show grounds. For full details click www.translink.co.uk/balmoralshow or call 028 90 66 66 30.

Pictured launching the travelplan are: back l-r Jim McCauley, Translink Service Delivery Manager, Gerard McAtarsney, Translink NI Railways Route Manager with front l-r Samara Radcliffe who will be exhibiting at the show with Chloe the British Saddleback piglet and RUAS Operations Director Rhonda Geary.

RUAS Chief Executive Colin McDonald said: “Preparations for the Balmoral Show’s second year at Balmoral Park are well advanced and we are looking forward to welcoming thousands of visitors to the Show over the course of the three days. We continue to encourage visitors to consider public transport options when planning their journey to the Show.

We have teamed up with Translink to provide coach day tours from a range of regional towns which represent a convenient and economical way to visit the Show. Our complimentary shuttle bus service from Lisburn train station to the Show will be in operation again. Last year this service operated very successfully with shuttle bus passengers beating the queues and enjoying quick access to the Show. Bus passengers who purchase early bird tickets on the Balmoral Show website will be able to enjoy priority entrances at the event.”

Translink’s Lynda Shannon said: “We are working closely with RUAS to provide hassle-free bus and train travel to this year’s show and would encourage visitors to plan their journey using our dedicated website section www.translink.co.uk/balmoralshow.

“We will operate special coach day tours available to purchase online offering return journey to Balmoral Park and show admission for just £29 (adult) & £14 (child)**. These services will depart Derry~Londonderry, Limavady, Coleraine, Ballymoney, Ballymena, Antrim, Enniskillen, Omagh, Strabane, Dungannon, Cookstown, Magherafelt, Armagh, Newcastle and Downpatrick.

“On each day of the show, a free shuttle bus service will run from Lisburn Train Station to the Show grounds. The estimated outward journey time is around 20-30 minutes and we are advising passengers to 30 – 45 minutes transfer time to return from the show back to Lisburn for onward train connections – especially anyone using cross-border or North West services.

“Anyone using either the free shuttle bus or special coach package deal will also enjoy the added benefit of priority show entry. For additional convenience, selected morning train services coming from the North will run through to Lisburn so passengers will not need to change trains in Belfast.

“We also have a range of discount travel tickets available including a third-off day return train tickets or selected Goldline coach services after 9.30am*** and would remind Senior smartpass holders to take advantage of their free travel. We would also encourage customers to pre book their show ticket,” said Lynda.

For passenger comfort, visitors are being encouraged to avoid peak travel times and make their journeys after 9.30am and after evening rush hour (4-6pm). The shuttle bus service will have limited space for prams and wheelchairs. All buggies should be folded before getting onto any bus or train services.

For further travel information click www.translink.co.uk/balmoralshow/ or call 028 9066 6630. For Balmoral Show information click www.balmoralshow.co.uk.