Plan for pick-ups from new Grand Central Station

Plan for pick-ups from new Grand Central Station

22 January 2025

TRANSPORT chiefs are drawing up plans to pave the way for buses from Downpatrick and Newcastle to use Belfast’s new Grand Central Station.

Currently, passengers are ped off in Linenhall Street with services departing from Adelaide Street in the city following the closure of the Europa bus centre.

Translink says drivers have to be trained to use the new station by familiarising them with its layout.

The news was confirmed to South Down MLA Andy McMurray who raised the issue with transport officials and he’s welcomed confirmation that the buses could be using the new transport hub before the end of the year.

Mr McMurray and Mournes councillor Jill Truesdale have been approached by a number of bus service users concerned about the current locations where they are currently dropped off and collected.

Mr McMurray said one man who approached him commutes to and from Belfast regularly using the Downpatrick service. 

He said the man carries heavy work equipment and the relocation of the bus service has been really inconvenient for him.

“He now needs to carry his heavy equipment across the city centre in order to connect to other bus services,” Mr McMurray explained. 

“The man also pointed out there is inadequate shelter for commuters to wait for their bus in the new location and no one respects the queuing system.” 

The Assemblyman said Translink has informed him that it’s currently planning how to return Metro services to their previous departure points and moving the Ulsterbus services, including the 518a, 520 and 237 Newcastle area services to Belfast Grand Central. 

“There are requirements to train and familiarise the Ulsterbus drivers with the new station and a need to ensure passengers,” he said, explaining this work will be carried out over the next few months.”

Previously, Mr McMurray secured an update on the Downpatrick area service to Belfast which confirmed the current temporary arrangements were to facilitate the ongoing public realm works for the new station and prevent the service being caught up in traffic disruption. 

Translink plans to move the Downpatrick service to the Belfast Grand Central Station before the end of this year.

“It is great to hear Translink’s plans to relocate the Newcastle services to the new Grand Central Station within the relatively near future,” he said. “I have followed up on the Downpatrick service as well, to see if it’s move can also be expedited earlier than planned.”

Cllr Truesdale said passengers using the Newcastle service are also concerned about the current bus service arrangements.

She added: “ Elderly and young children are standing in the cold and dark without shelter, and service users with mobility issues are having to trek across town to get to connecting services.

“It would become even more of an issue once people start travelling to their caravans in Newcastle again or coming to enjoy the seaside for the day.”