Ballymoney gets enhanced Park and Ride facility

Work to extend the provision was completed earlier in the summer bringing the total to 104 spaces including six disabled bays.

Speaking at the official opening of the service, Infrastructure Minister Chris Hazzard said: “My Department’s aim in developing this facility is to encourage more people out of their cars and onto public transport at the busiest times of the day, reducing road congestion while saving on fuel and parking charges.

“Last year there were 430,000 passenger movements through Ballymoney Station and this enhanced Park and Ride will be of great benefit to the local North Antrim community.

“There has been strong growth in rail passenger numbers due to an hourly train timetable from Ballymoney to Belfast / Coleraine. Hopefully this new and improved Park and Ride will attract even more people to choose the train.”

The minister congratulated Translink and local contractors, McMackin Contracts from Omagh who carried out these works. 

Sam Todd, Service Delivery manager, said: “More and more people enjoy the convenience of Park and Ride and this extension is already proving popular with local passengers. We would like to thank the Infrastructure Minister for the essential funding to complete this important project and look forward to attracting more new customers, looking for hassle-free, good value journeys to make smart moves by train from Ballymoney.”

The department’s Park & Ride Programme Board 2013-16 has delivered 2,123 Park & Ride and Park & Share spaces, at a cost of just over £9.5 million.