07/08/2017

New Bus Lanes To Open In East Belfast

New bus lanes are to open in East Belfast next week.

The lanes, located on the Albertbridge Road, Newtownards Road and Castlereagh Street, will be operational from Monday, 14 August.

They will open during peak hours in the morning and evening from Monday to Friday.

The new bus lanes replace and extend the previous bus lanes on the Albertbridge Road and will provide increased priority and a faster, more efficient service for buses on this key public transport route, helping to keep the city moving as people go about their daily business.

A Department for Infrastructure (DfI) spokesperson said: "This is another key step in the delivery of the Belfast Rapid Transit system. This vital infrastructure project will connect East Belfast, West Belfast and Titanic Quarter via the city centre and will help to increase the percentage of journeys which are made by public transport, a key target of the Programme for Government.

"The new bus lanes will support a faster, more reliable bus service for people travelling along the Albertbridge Road. We have already seen a growing number of people switching to the bus on this key route and a modern, safe, efficient and high quality public transport service will increase this further.

"In order that motorists will have the opportunity to get used to the new arrangements, we have introduced the bus lanes during the summer while traffic levels are traditionally lower."

(CD/LM)

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