M2 bus lane aims to alleviate traffic congestion

A fasttrack for city-bound buses has been created at the M2’s Sandyknowes on-slip, it has been announced today.

The new facility will operate from 7.30am to 9.30am every weekday morning, helping bus passengers to avoid the peak traffic queues on the motorway and have a mainly congestion free journey into the city centre.

DRD Roads Service’s Divisional Roads Manager, Joe Drew, said: "The benefit to buses and their passengers is part of the department’s ongoing strategy to make the use of public transport a viable alternative to the private car. Buses, particularly Translink’s City Express service, can use this route to avoid the frequent traffic delays on the M2."

Translink’s General Manager - Bus Services, Philip O’Neill, also welcomed the new lane.

"We welcome the introduction of this effective new bus priority measure which will allow us to deliver faster bus speeds making our bus services more attractive as passengers can avoid long congested traffic queues," he said.

“This initiative will particularly enhance our fast, frequent City Express services making them a very real alternative to the private car for commuters travelling during the congested peak period."

The new priority bus lane will operate from Monday October 11 from 7.30am to 9.30am, every weekday morning. During this period, buses may join the motorway after the merge between traffic on the on-slip and traffic already on the motorway.

(MB/GMCG)