Translink moves some bus services to Grand Central Station

Translink says the move will provide greater convenience for customers

Translink has announced bus services to Downpatrick, Newcastle and Ballynahinch will operate from Belfast Grand Central Station from July.

The move aligns with the launch of Translink's summer timetable and aims to enhance passenger convenience and connectivity, it said.

The changes will see Goldliner coach and Ulsterbus services, including routes 215, 515 and 516 to Downpatrick; 237 and 520 to Newcastle; and the 652 to Ballynahinch via Cairnshill Park and Ride and Carryduff, all depart from Belfast from 1 July.

It is part of Translink's ongoing transition to the £340m public transport hub in the centre of Belfast, which opened last September.

'Modern facilities and better connections'

Translink's acting general manager for bus services, Phillip Woods, highlighted several benefits that such a move will bring for passengers.

"We are pleased that our services will now offer customers greater convenience, access to modern facilities, and better connections to other bus, rail, cross-border and airport services," he said.

Mr Woods also confirmed that while Grand Central Station will be the main departure point, Adelaide Street will remain an outbound stop.

On return journeys, buses will revert to their previous city centre set-down stop at Bedford Street before completing their routes at Grand Central.

In addition, Translink will introduce a new express service, which will provide a faster, direct evening peak journey to Newcastle via the M1 bus lanes through Ballynahinch.

Changes will also affect the Metro network, with Metro 8 services relocating to their former stop at Donegall Square East from Howard Street, while continuing to travel via Great Victoria Street and Wellington Place.