Getting home gets easier with new late-night transport for Christmas party season 🎄
Translink is putting on late trains, buses, and coaches from Belfast and Derry
There aren’t many of us who haven’t experienced difficulty while trying to get home from a night out in Belfast City Centre.
This festive season it should be easier though, as Translink has announced it’s putting on special late-night buses and trains on the weekends.
The service, which will start in early December, is aiming to facilitate late-night shoppers, diners, and Christmas party-goers.
The Metro bus service in Belfast will include an extra stop at Cathedral Quarter; Belfast’s nightlife hotspot.
The ‘Nightmovers’ initiative will also be in place in Derry city centre, with late-night buses being put in place by Foyle Metro.
The latest pick-up times vary across the different services and routes and full timetables can be found on the Translink website.
A statement from Translink said, “Commencing Friday, 2nd December additional late-night services will make it easy for more people to choose public transport as their first choice for Christmas travel with a range of departures from Belfast on Metro, Goldliner, Urby, and train services right across the network. Foyle Metro will also be operating late night services in Derry~Londonderry on selected routes.”
Translink Group Chief Executive, Chris Conway said, “We are looking forward to re-introducing these additional late-night services. We want to play our part and have forged relationships with key partners to develop this package, to help support the economy at this crucial time of year while giving people a reliable and safe way home.”
“We know there has been strong public interest and we are expecting services to be busy as more people get back out to meet friends, family and enjoy all that the cities have to offer. More passengers travelling this Christmas will also clearly demonstrate the need for further development of late-night services and the funding that will be needed to sustain them.”
“We will continue to work with all stakeholders to collectively promote the value of late-night public transport in our drive to create a more connected, sustainable and liveable city for all.”
A number of partner organisations have welcomed the news of the additional services,
Chris McCracken, Managing Director from Belfast Linen Quarter BID said, “This is a welcome initiative from Translink that will support Belfast’s outstanding night time economy and will allow people to extend their enjoyment of the Christmas festivities knowing they have a safe and reliable route home."
Damian Corr, Cathedral Quarter BID Manager said, "Cathedral Quarter BID have been lobbying Translink for a nightime Public Transport service and we are delighted that this Christmas pilot service is being launched.
“The Nightmovers initiative will benefit our world class Hospitality and Cultural businesses and will give customers the confidence to come into Cathedral Quarter and enjoy the season!"
“We encourage our businesses and customers to promote and use the service so that we can build the case for a more permanent service."
Kathleen McBride, Managing Director, Belfast One BID “Belfast One fully supports the return of Translink Nightmovers. This service is widely welcomed by our Belfast City Centre retail and hospitality businesses. The opportunity of extended dwell time for visitors to enjoy shopping, and socialising later into the evening should be very popular, especially during this busy Christmas period.”
Colin Neill, Chief Executive, Hospitality Ulster said: “We welcome the return of the Translink Nightmovers services in time for the all-important festive period. We recognise that this will be of huge benefit to thousands of people and will provide a shot in the arm for the hospitality sector at a vital period in the year, boosting the night time economy in Belfast and Derry~Londonderry."
“It will no doubt encourage people to travel into the cities and eat, drink, and linger for longer with the assurance they get home safely. It is fantastic to see the return of Nightmovers just before Christmas, but it is vital that these services are supported financially and made permanent to drive footfall in our cities, not just at Christmas, but made available all year round”.
Normal fares will apply on these special night services and passengers are reminded that fares have been frozen at 2019 prices. There are also a range of discount tickets available and anyone using a valid day ticket or multi-journey travel card can also travel for no additional cost.
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