Belfast's new transport hub, Grand Central Station, has opened to the public
The station cost £340m
It's public transport day on BBC News NI and we're looking at the infrastructure across Northern Ireland
Many of you shared your stories and experiences of public transport in your area
Only buses currently operate at the station, trains will start in the next few weeks
Good Morning Ulster, Talkback, Evening Extra and BBC Newsline all broadcast live from the new station
Barry O'Connor
BBC News NI
Do you know how to actually get into the new station? These stickers have started appearing over the city to help commuters find their way.
If you are in Belfast's city centre, you'll notice these stickers pointing towards the station and other landmarks in the city along the footpaths and adorning advertising boards and even bins.
Mark Simpson
BBC News NI
If all goes according to plan, train services at Belfast’s Grand Central Station will start running by mid-October.
The rail link to the new station is awaiting the green light from the safety authorities.
Thousands of people will be travelling on the tracks every day and the new route needs to pass all the necessary certifications.
Bus services started smoothly on Sunday.
The ‘rail’ test lies ahead.
Good Morning Ulster is broadcasting live from the new Grand Central Station in Belfast.
You can watch the live stream by clicking the button at the top of this page.
Elaine is travelling from Glenarm to Belfast
As part of our public transport day coverage, we decided to pit the private car against the bus from thirty miles or so outside Belfast. Our reporters Kelly Bonner and Elaine Mitchell will see who can reach Belfast first.
Elaine Mitchell told Good Morning Ulster that the first leg of the journey, from Glenarm to Larne, was "absolutely beautiful".
She says she has been able to appreciate the views since she was not driving.
However, our reporter says the bus was a "wee bit cold".
Elaine is now leaving from Larne on the 256a to Belfast, which she says is "really comfortable".
We will keep you updated on the race as the morning goes on.
The roof of the new hub is a tribute to the linen history of Belfast
"We are to undertake extensive public realm and arts and heritage pieces right through Sandy row, Grosvenor road and Saltwater square, we will complete in the next couple of months," project manager Duncan McAllister told Good Morning Ulster.
"It'll be a huge influence and a tip of the hat to the past by reimagining what the past people did and the industries helped in Belfast.''
When asked how they dealt with costs pressures during construction, McAllister told BBC Radio Ulster, 'that every building project felt extraordinary inflation.''
''Because of the nature of the local contracts we secured, we managed to bring on key materials early to help us maintain that inflation piece within the budget line.''
Hayley Halpin
BBC News NI
The first passenger to enter Grand Central Station on Sunday morning was Amir Kumat.
Beginning his journey to London, he got the 05:00 BST bus to Belfast International Airport.
Speaking to BBC News NI, Mr Kumat said he was "so lucky" to be the first passenger to enter the new station.
"When I started my day, I never knew I was going to be the first guy... probably I’ll be in the history books."
He said he was "quite mesmerised after seeing the way they have created the infrastructure," adding that the Europa station was "good, but it wasn’t as grand".
The new Grand Central Station's project manager, Duncan McAllister, said his team looked to King's Cross in London for inspiration.
Duncan McAllister is the new transport hub's project manager
''King's Cross can be set inside this station; that's the scale we're looking at,'' he told BBC Radio Ulster's Good Morning Ulster Programme.
''We have upgraded from 16 bus stands to 26 and 4 train lanes to 8; we've virtually doubled everything.''
''The station can comfortably handle 22 million passengers a year, meaning we are future-proofed till 2050.''
Infrastructure expert Karen McShane is with Sarah Brett at Grand Central Station. She says that the "biggest change is the scale and mass of the building".
Ms McShane told BBC News NI that the Grand Central will become "the hub where we can integrate all our public transport services."
However, Ms McShane suggests that further investment will be needed to deal with congestion on Northern Ireland's roads, which rely on infrastructure "designed in the 1960s".
"We can't fund this from the department's budget that we currently have, we need to start thinking differently."
Peter Coulter
BBC News NI
Image source, PA MediaWelcome to our live page marking public transport day across BBC News NI!
Grand Central Station in Belfast is now open for business the first passengers have started arriving.
The station is only open for buses at this stage, there is no date yet for when trains will start to arrive.
Good Morning Ulster is broadcasting live from the station, join our two reporters as they try to get from Glenarm to Belfast, with one driving and one taking public transport. Sarah Brett will also have an interview with the Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd. Click watch at the of the page to follow along,
Our team of reporters will also be bringing us up to speed on the situation in areas right across Northern Ireland including Ballintoy, Banbridge, Armagh, Drumquin, Portadown, Londonderry and Newry.
But most importantly we want to hear your stories. What's public transport like in your area? Are you able to get the bus or train? Do you cycle or walk? Click this link to share your story and a selfie with us and you could be featured on this live page., external
