Newcastle, Downpatrick and Ballynahinch bus services move to Belfast Grand Central Station
Translink has announced that bus services to Downpatrick, Newcastle and Ballynahinch will be departing from Belfast Grand Central Station from Tuesday, 1st July, coinciding with the start of the Summer timetable.
Translink’s Acting General Manager (Bus Services) Phillip Woods said: “We are pleased that our Goldliner coach and Ulsterbus services to Newcastle, Downpatrick and Ballynahinch, as well as Carryduff, will depart from the new Belfast Grand Central Station from 1st July.
“This will offer customers greater convenience, access to the modern facilities and onward bus and train connections across Northern Ireland, cross-border, and airports services.
“Bus services moving to Belfast Grand Central Station include 215, 515 and 516 to Downpatrick, the 237 and 520 services to Newcastle and 652 buses to Ballynahinch via Cairnshill Park and Ride and Carryduff.
“This is all part of the managed transition to Belfast Grand Central Station, which is already delivering strong performance results and very positive user feedback, with a 96% customer satisfaction rating since it opened last Autumn.
“Passengers can still choose to board in Adelaide Street as it will be the second outbound stop.
“These services operating their journeys into Belfast will also revert to their previous city centre set down stops at Bedford Street before travelling on to Belfast Grand Central Station for the final stop.
“We will also operate a special 237a direct service to Newcastle which will travel to Ballynahinch using the M1 bus lanes, offering our customers a faster and more direct service during the evening peak, for greater choice and convenience”.
Phillip Woods added: “These service changes from 1st July will also involve Metro 8 relocating to its former stop at Donegall Square East from Howard Street. Metro 8 will continue to travel along Great Victoria Street and Wellington Place.”
Phillip concluded: “It is easy and quick to buy tickets for Translink services using contactless payments or the mLink mobile ticketing App which offers a range of pre-paid tickets and travel cards. It makes ticket purchase quick, easy and convenient, while supporting our drive towards a more efficient, sustainable public transport network”.
Passengers are advised to check their journey in advance on the Translink Journey Planner App, website:
or by phoning the Contact Centre on 02890 666630.
***
Hazzard welcomes Translink Wi-Fi investment on South Down routes
South Down MLA Chris Hazzard has welcomed the launch of Internet connectivity on Translink Goldline services from Downpatrick and Newcastle.
Following a meeting with Translink officials this week, the local Assemblyman described Translink’s initiative as “a welcome step in the right direction for public transport across South Down and further afield.”
Mr Hazzard said: “In recent days Translink Goldline services from Downpatrick and Newcastle went live with free Wi-Fi for passengers and over the next couple of months the level of provision will gradually build up until the entire Goldline fleet will be connected.
“It is important that if we are to promote the benefits of public transport that we invest inxa0the latest technologies to encourage people to switch from private transport.
“Resourceful ideas such as free Wi-Fi and indeed the Y-Link youth facility are crucial in creating a sustainable appetite for public transport in the future.
Mr Hazzard added: “It is great to hear that passengers in South Down are responding well to the Wi-Fi scheme, and I have little doubt that with the price of fuel still on the rise, people from right across the constituency will start to leave the car at home and take the bus instead.”
