Belfast Grand Central Station: Full details as £340m public transport hub opens its doors this Sunday

Belfast Grand Central Station: Full details as £340m public transport hub opens its doors this Sunday

After more than four years in construction, Northern Ireland's new £340million public transport hub will finally open its doors to its first bus passengers early on Sunday morning.

The new state of the art bus and rail hub has been hailed by Translink as a "game changer for the whole of NI", marking a significant step forward in our public transport system. The first services from Belfast Grand Central Station are the 5am departures to Dublin and Belfast International Airport after which all bus services currently operating from Europa Bus Centre will move across to the new station.

But train passengers will have to wait much longer as no date for the commencement of rail services, including an hourly Enterprise train service between Belfast and Dublin, has been confirmed. Translink will only say it will happen “before Christmas”.

READ MORE: NI commuters have their say on Belfast's new public transport hub

READ MORE: New £340m transport hub hailed a 'game changer for whole of Northern Ireland'

Translink has been running additional bus substitution services since early July to facilitate essential engineering works on the railway line between Belfast and Lisburn. The works led to the closure of ten train stations over the summer.

The transport hub has been in the planning before construction for more than a decade and is the largest infrastructure project in Northern Ireland and one of the largest in the UK but it has faced challenges including increases in the cost of materials and the Covid-19 pandemic.

Final touches were being put in place at the new station this week, which will be the largest integrated transport hub on the island of Ireland and replaces Great Victoria Street train station, which shut in May, and the Europa Bus Centre, which closed on Saturday night.

It will then fully open in phases over the next year, with train services to come and public realm works aimed at transforming the once forgotten area of Belfast to continue to 2025. It will double the number of rail platforms from four to eight, with the number of bus stands increasing from 17 to 26.

Located at Weavers Cross close to the city centre., Grand Central is expected to see around 20 million customer journeys each year as the city's main transport gateway. Retailers confirmed for the station so far include Starbucks, Pret A Manger, Marks and Spencer and Brew Dog.

Initial predictions had put the cost of delivering the project at £200m but earlier this year, Stormont's Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd said a full business case was approved in November 2021 at a cost of £295m but that the latest estimate is £340m, citing "extraordinary inflation".

The new Belfast Grand Central Station hosts its first service, a 5am bus to Dublin, on Sunday
The new Belfast Grand Central Station hosts its first service, a 5am bus to Dublin, on Sunday -Credit:PA Wire

Ahead of the opening, we've put together some important information for passengers so here's all you need to know:

What is Grand Central Station?

Bringing further transformation of public transport, enhancing local and international connectivity, the new station is a game changer for the whole of Northern Ireland, set to inspire people to use more sustainable travel for a better connected, cleaner and healthier region for everyone.

Where is Grand Central Station?

It's located at Weavers Cross, close to Belfast city centre. Passengers can enter the new transport hub from two entrances on the Grosvenor Road or Durham Street, near Glengall Street and close to where the existing Europa Bus station is situated.

What are the opening hours?

  • Monday: 5.00 - 23.45

  • Tuesday: 5.00 - 23.45

  • Wednesday: 5.00 - 23.45

  • Thursday: 5.00 - 23.45

  • Friday: 5.00 - 23.45

  • Saturday: 5.00 - 23.45

  • Sunday: 5.00 - 23.45

What's happening with bus and rail services?

  • All bus services operating from the Europa Bus Centre will relocate to Grand Central Station upon opening with the first service operating on Sunday 8th September at 5am.

  • When rail services commence at the new station (on a date TBC), the line will reopen between Belfast and Lisburn. All services across the rail network will operate to and from the new terminus station, including cross border Enterprise services with some adjustments to the rail timetable.

  • As the main terminus station for Belfast passengers should allow extra time to interchange to another bus or rail service if continuing on a different route.

  • This means rail passengers travelling to/from the Portadown line will need to interchange at Grand Central Station if travelling to/from Botanic, City Hospital, Lanyon Place, York Street Stations or to/from stations on the Larne, Bangor and Derry~Londonderry lines.

READ MORE: In photos: First look inside Belfast Grand Central Station ahead of opening this weekend

READ MORE: In photos: Belfast's Europa Bus Centre down the years as doors close for last time this weekend

What facilities are available?

Some facilities will not be available when the station opens, but will be added later.

ATM available: Yes Shops in the station: Yes, limited provision within phased opening Refreshments available: Yes WiFi available: Yes First Aid Room: Yes Water filling station: Yes Vending machines: Yes

What about access and parking?

Set Down and Pick Up

Public Realm Works surrounding the new station are ongoing and will continue through 2025 to significantly upgrade the streets and enhance pedestrian safety making it easier and more accessible for all.

During this time set down and pick up for passengers and patrons of the station will be at the following:

St Andrew’s Square (access and exit via Hope Street). Passengers being set down here can walk through the Europa Bus Centre, exit at Glengall Street and access the new station entrance from Durham Street.

Value Car Parks – (access and exit via Grosvenor Road). Passengers can utilise the set down areas which are available on the first floor of the multi-story car park. The first ten minutes are free of change for cars using Value Car Parks (longer term parking also available). Passengers being set down at this point should access the new station via the Grosvenor Road entrance.

Car Parking Arrangements

For Cross Border Passengers who wish to park their car and travel to Dublin (Enterprise and X1 and X2 Services only):

Approaching from Great Victoria Street/Sandy Row use Go Park Great Northern Car Park – 24 hour operation. A reduced rate of £12 per 24 hours is available. With 530 spaces simply present your train/coach ticket at the car park kiosk.

Approaching from Grosvenor Road, there are also 575 car parking spaces available at the nearby Value Car Parks on Grosvenor Road. For more information and parking rates see https://www.valuecarparks.com/.

Belfast Grand Central Station opens this weekend
Belfast Grand Central Station opens this weekend -Credit:Justin Kernoghan/Belfast Live

What about passenger information?

Departure screens and boards: Yes, these are displayed on all bus stands and train platforms. They are also displays on the CSI screen throughout the station.

Timetable information available: Yes, customer service information desk and customer support desk via the tablets

Audio announcements: No, BGCS is a quiet station, please refer to the customer information screens, or ask a member of staff for assistance.

How do I buy tickets?

The best way to buy your ticket is via the mLink app or online. If you do need to purchase a ticket in the station, please use a ticket vending machine.

  • 12 Ticketing Vending Machines across the station

  • Customer Support Offices where tickets that cannot be bought online or at TVMs can be purchased.

  • WiFi to support M Link tickets

  • Automatic ticket barriers for railway.

Will there be seating available?

  • Indoor seating available: Yes

  • Sheltered outdoor seating available: No

What are the travel tips for passengers?

  • Pre-purchase tickets in advance via the mLink app or top up your Translink smartcard to speed up your journey time.

  • Contactless payments can be made for any bus and train journey.

  • Buy tickets online or at one of the easy-to-use Ticket Vending Machines. within the new building

  • Check passenger information screens or use the Journey Planner for departure information prior to travel.

  • New public realm improvement works around the new station are ongoing and will continue through 2025. These works will enhance pedestrian safety, walking routes, accessibility and cycling as well as see construction of the new Saltwater Square at the main entrance. Look out for the safe diversionary routes in place for pedestrians to access the station.

  • Plan your journey using the Journey Planner App, visit www.translink.co.uk or call the contact centre on 028 90 66 66 30 and allow extra time if it’s your first visit!

Video by Belfast Live videographer Harry Bateman.

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