Belfast Grand Central Station: Full details of all public transport changes coming into effect next week

Commuters using public transport in Northern Ireland will face some big changes over the coming weeks to facilitate rail infrastructure works for the new Belfast Grand Central Station.

Translink has announced bus timetable changes from this Monday, 1st July, as well as some Metro and Ulsterbus bus stop changes in Belfast city centre while essential engineering works will take place on the railway line between Belfast and Lisburn, with a line closure planned from next Wednesday, July 3rd until early autumn. Train services from Lanyon Place to Lisburn stations will be affected.

According to Translink, these changes are being introduced to ensure people can continue to move into and around Belfast as rail infrastructure works intensify and significant public realm improvement works are underway to enhance walking routes, accessibility and cycling around the new Belfast Grand Central Station due to open this autumn.

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Passengers are being encouraged to plan their trip ahead of time using information on the Translink website or Journey Planner and allow extra time for their journey.

Metro timetable changes as well as some bus stop changes in Belfast city centre will come into effect from Monday, 1st July. Certain Metro 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14 and 646,648 and 649 stops will be moving and passengers are urged to familiarise themselves with the new locations.

From Monday, adjustments will also be made to some city centre bus stops with relocation of some Ulsterbus services to Laganside Buscentre to help maintain bus service reliability and performance during increased traffic pressures on the city centre network.

Translink has also introduced enhanced bus timetables with more seats available on both Metro services and popular Goldliner routes across Northern Ireland.

There will also be changes to rail timetables due to essential engineering works taking place on the railway line between Belfast and Lisburn, with a line closure planned from Wednesday, 3rd July until early autumn.

Express bus substitutions will be in operation between Belfast and Lisburn and a shuttle service will operate between Lanyon Place and Europa Buscentre approximately every 30 minutes, serving stops adjacent to City Hospital, Queen’s University and Botanic.

Passengers using the Lisburn Line stations will need to use the regular scheduled Metro and Ulsterbus Lisburn Road services. Valid rail tickets will be valid on these services. All train passengers should check their timetables before making their journeys.

Translink’s David Curry, General Manager Bus Services, said: “I want to thank all our passengers and local neighbours for their support and patience as we progress these essential works which will be worth it when Belfast Grand Central Station and the public realm works around it are fully complete next year.

“With reduced passenger numbers during the summer period, we have carefully planned a range of travel options to minimise the overall impact and ensure people can continue to make their journeys and access the city. The important message to all our passengers is to check the Journey Planner or website for timetable information before their journey.”

Metro route changes from Monday 1st July

• 1A to 1G; 2A to 2H; and 13 and 14 – terminus will change from Upper Queen Street to Donegall Place.

• 1A-G stop M (outside Next)

• 2A to H – stop N (outside Footlocker)

• 13 and 14 – stop M (outside Next)

• 2J to 2M: Timetable alterations – boarding stop moved from Wellington Place to Donegall Place - stop N (outside Footlocker) 2M will operate a 40 minute service from 9.40am

• 646 (previously Metro 95) – departure terminus changed from Donegall Square East to Europa Buscentre

• 648/649 – stop moved from Donegall Place (Footlocker) to Donegall Place (McDonalds)

• 7A – 7D – timetable changes

• 7E – changing to 6F and will operate from Donegall Square West (outside Danske Bank) with other Metro 6 services (moved from Howard Street)

• 7G and 7H – stop moved to Howard Street (outside Post Office)

• 8 Services will depart from Howard Street (Deanes) – inbound will no longer serve Great Northern Mall or Naval Club

• 9A to 9C – will operate from Bedford Street - inbound will no longer serve Great Northern Mall or Naval Club

• 9E to 9K – timetable changes

• 93 inbound will no longer serve Great Northern Mall or Naval Club

• 10K and 10M will use Divis Street, omitting Grosvenor Road stops.

Stops no longer being served: Outbound – Durham St, Falls Recreation Centre, Roden St, Servia St, Royal Hospital. Inbound – Royal Hospital, Gibson St, Roden St, Cullingtree Rd, Stanley St, GVS

Goldliner/Ulsterbus route changes in Belfast from Monday 1st July

*To facilitate Belfast Public Realm Improvement Works the following services will no longer operate to and from Europa Buscentre and will instead operate to and from Laganside Buscentre:

• 218, 218a, 219a, 221, 222 Antrim, Ballymena & Coleraine area

• 256, 256a & 653b Larne & Ballyclare area

• 502 Bangor area

• 5, 505, 7, 507, 9b, 10 Newtownards area

• 511, 511b Comber and Shrigley

• 512 Ballygowan and Raffrey

These services will operate from Donegall Square North:

• 203 Bangor area

• 206, 655 Newtownards area

These services will operate from Adelaide Street; (inbound arrival) Linenhall Street:

• 215, 515 Downpatrick area

• 518a, 520, 237 Newcastle area (237a will no longer operate)

• 652 Cairnshill Park & Ride

*All other scheduled services continue to operate to and from Europa Buscentre.

Train timetable changes from Wednesday 3rd July

• Belfast Lanyon Place to Lisburn will be closed.

• Express Bus substitution services will operate between Lisburn and Europa Buscentre every ten minutes Monday to Saturday and every hour on Sundays.

• Botanic and City Hospital Stations will be closed.

• Bus substitution services will operate between Belfast Lanyon Place and Europa Buscentre every 30 minutes serving stops adjacent to City Hospital, Queens University and Botanic* (see below).

• Adelaide, Balmoral, Finaghy, Dunmurry, Derriaghy, Lambeg and Hilden stations will be closed. Passengers for these stations can use scheduled Metro/Ulsterbus services along the Lisburn Road.

• The Enterprise service will operate from Portadown to Dublin, with Belfast customers transferred by bus between Belfast Lanyon Place and Newry train station.

• Rail tickets will be accepted on scheduled bus services.

*Bus substitution services will operate between Belfast Lanyon Place and Europa Buscentre every 30 minutes serving stops adjacent to City Hospital, Queens University and Botanic:

Further details on Belfast Grand Central Station and the works programme can be found here. For more information on timetables, visit www.translink.co.uk or call the Contact Centre 02890 666630.

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