Details as Christmas night buses and trains to return to Belfast
Translink has revealed details of the return of its night buses and trains over the Christmas[1] period.
With the Christmas party period fast approaching, the late night Belfast bus services will begin from Friday 24 November followed by late night train services and bus services to other towns and cities across NI beginning on Friday 1 December.
Late night Belfast Metro bus services will depart from the city centre between midnight and 1am at the weekends, and will see a special Nightmover fare of £6 for a single journey.
Commenting on the return of the late night timetable, Translink[4] Group Chief Executive, Chris Conway said there has been strong public interest in seeing the festive nighttime services resume.
“We are pleased to offer these additional popular festive services and welcome the vital support from our partners this year," Chris said.
"The night-time economy plays an essential role in boosting tourism, jobs and in keeping people better connected and we want to play our part in helping more people enjoy the fantastic hospitality on offer.
“People can come into the city and enjoy all the Christmas craic and festivities knowing they have a safe and reliable way home.
“We know there has been strong public interest in late night bus and rail services and we are expecting them to be busy as more people make the most of the festive season.
"We look forward to working with our partners to create a more connected, sustainable, and liveable city for all."
The night services will be good news for many after the Department for Infrastructure last week announced an almost 20% increase in fares taxi drivers can charge on weekends, amidst a shortage of taxi drivers across NI.
The managing directors of both fonaCAB and Valuecabs have partnered with Translink to support the Nightmovers service.
William McCausland, fonaCAB Managing Director commented: "With so many more people going out in the night-time economy at this time of year, having more options for travel can only add to the numbers enjoying what our great hospitality has to offer.
"The “on demand” service which taxis offer complements the regular scheduled timetable that Translink provides, and combined gives passengers a wider choice for travel in what is sure to be a busy time for all.”
Dates, times and fares for the Nightmovers services are detailed below:
Rail:
1 December - 22 December 2023. Fares based on destination, various departures from 00:10am
Belfast Metro:
24 November - 22 December 2023. Adult single fare £6, departures from midnight to 1am.
Ulsterbus Goldliner/Urby
1 December - 22 December 2023 to Derry, Newry, Banbridge, Templepatrick[5], Ballyclare, Downpatrick, Ballynahinch, Crumlin and Dungannon[6]. Fares destination based and various departures from midnight.
East Belfast[7] Alliance MLA Peter McReynolds welcomed the return of the festive services but called on Translink to make them a regular feature of the nighttime economy in the city.
“A late-night transport service is also a central element to a thriving night-time economy," the Alliance MLA said.
"The introduction of Nightmovers will help stimulate the hospitality and entertainment sectors during the Christmas season, whilst at the same time helping ensure public safety.
“Whilst we have confirmation that the service will run again over the busy festive period, albeit more scaled down than last year, Alliance would like to see Nightmovers become a regular, permanent feature of Translink’s public services. Northern Ireland is falling behind the rest of the UK and Ireland in its provision of a late-night transportation system that serves the needs of the public.”
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References
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