Translink Enhances Belfast Metro Services

Translink has introduced a series of enhancements on Metro services to simplify the network and make it more accessible.

Building on the success of the Glider over the past year, with more than 30 million passenger journeys recorded across the network, the changes are aimed at attracting more people to make Metro their first choice for travel in Belfast.

Customers in north Belfast have seen the addition of 23 new eco-vehicles on the Metro 1 (Antrim Road) and Metro 2 (Shore Road) corridors, providing around 1,000 additional seats per day.

A new 12c service has been introduced, serving the Thornbury and Wolfhill areas via Cliftonville, Oldpark and Ligoniel Roads, connecting these areas to the city centre.

Other changes to the service are as follows:

• East Belfast passengers have seen the introduction of a new 3b service, serving Knocknagoney via Albertbridge Road and Holywood Road. Metro 3a services will continue to serve Newtownards Road, Connsbrook Avenue and Inverary.

• Metro 27/28/28a services will be renumbered as Metro 3 services and will serve Connsbrook Avenue and Station Road.

• Service numbers on various corridors across Belfast have been renumbered to promote greater uniformity and ease of use.

• Proposed changes to the Metro 11a service in the Shankill/Crumlin Road area have been deferred pending further community engagement. Metro 11a services will run on their existing route and timetable until further notice.

• Simplified route numbering will be introduced across the network. Around 2,000 simplified bus stop flags will be introduced, alongside enhanced use of colour and presentation at around 500 bus shelters.

• Phase 2 of this project will, subject to funding, be rolled out in 2020/1, with planned enhancements to South Belfast services.

• West Belfast passengers have already benefitted from the introduction of new services on 1st July, linking Glen Road with the Colin Connect facility on Stewartstown Road. Some services on lesser-used routes in the west of the city (Metro 80/80a/81) have been rebranded as Metro 10 services as of 2nd September.

The phased programme of corridor enhancements ties in with the ambitions of the draft Programme for Government and Belfast City Council's Belfast Agenda in helping to boost employment, support retailers, encourage active travel, and protect the environment.

Gerry Lennon, Chief Executive of Visit Belfast, said: "With a third of our out-of-state visitors not having access to a car, public transport is a crucial element of their trip here. These enhancements will help cement the status of Metro as the 'lifeblood' of Belfast, helping to connect communities and making it easier for our ever-growing numbers of visitors to see everything that the city has to offer.

"Our city centre is a vibrant, bustling destination, but there’s so much more to see and do right across the city – using Metro is the perfect way for our visitors to ‘get on board’ and really get to know Belfast.

"We look forward to continuing to work with Translink as these enhancements continue."



(JG)