Taxis Now Allowed To Use City Centre Bus Lanes

Taxis in Belfast can now use a number of the city's bus lanes over the festive period, in an effort to address significant congestion in the city centre.

Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd announced a Temporary Traffic Regulation to allow Class A and Class C taxis to use certain lanes, effective from 6am this morning, Wednesday 18 December 2024.

Minister O'Dowd said: "I am committed to bringing forward measures which will help alleviate the traffic congestion in the city centre.

"I had previously announced my intention to introduce a pilot scheme to permit taxis to use city centre bus lanes to help support the industry and ease traffic. My officials are continuing to carry out the necessary legislative work and the consultation period for that scheme will commence very early in the new year. "In the meantime, I have asked my officials to urgently introduce temporary traffic regulations, as an interim measure, to allow Class A and C taxis to use a number of bus lanes.

"Belfast is a thriving city and I would encourage anyone planning to travel to the city centre, especially over the Christmas period, to plan their journey, use public transport if possible and if travelling by car factor in extra time for your journey.

"DfI will continue to work closely with partners in the coming days and weeks. We all share a common goal of wanting to keep Belfast moving, while balancing the needs of everyone who needs to use the city's roads and footpaths."

The bus lanes included within the new regulations are:

Inbound towards the City Centre

• Shaftesbury Square

• Great Victoria Street (Shaftesbury Square – Grosvenor Road)

Outbound Away from City Centre:

• Great Victoria Street (Howard Street – Bruce Street)

• Bruce Street

• Dublin Road